A month after the deadline to install GPS in vehicles transporting hazardous waste in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam has passed, the devices are yet to be installed. Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) had in March asked the authorities to install GPS devices on these vehicles and link them to the Board’s server within two months. The decision, taken during the tenure of Dana Kishore as member-secretary of APPCB, was seen as a means to link updates of handling and disposal as also enable constant monitoring of treatment, storage and disposal Facilities (TSDF) of hazardous wastes in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam.
TSDF in both cities were supposed to deposit required funds for post-closure monitoring and management of hazardous waste management landfills. The Board had reportedly taken the decision following increasing number of reports that vehicles dispose of hazardous waste, including hospital and radiation-related litter, randomly, often in open landfills, in violation of norms. While sources said no vehicle has yet been equipped with GPS linked to the APPCB server, the official spokesperson said partial installation has been done. The spokesperson, however, said APPCB is yet to receive the status report.