A serious pollution incident was reported at the Sanjay Nagar Joint Hospital on Thursday after a heap of garbage caught fire inside the hospital campus, filling the area with thick smoke and foul smell. The incident caused breathing discomfort to patients and their attendants, triggering panic in the emergency and nearby wards.
The fire reportedly broke out in the afternoon and raised concerns over poor waste management and safety standards at one of the city’s key public healthcare facilities.
Smoke reaches emergency and wards
According to eyewitnesses, a large pile of garbage had been lying for a long time near the mortuary area behind the trauma centre. The waste included medicine wrappers, used bandages, and other medical refuse. Around 2 pm, a hospital worker allegedly set fire to the garbage, following which dense smoke quickly spread across the area.
The smoke travelled from the rear side of the emergency block into patient wards, creating chaos. Many patients complained of eye irritation, coughing, and difficulty in breathing, while attendants rushed to cover patients’ faces or move them away from the smoke-filled area.
Health risks raised in a sensitive zone
Medical experts point out that burning garbage inside a hospital is extremely dangerous, especially where sick, elderly, and trauma patients are present. Apart from air pollution, such incidents also increase the risk of infection and contamination, particularly when biomedical waste is involved.
Patients and attendants questioned how such negligence could occur in a hospital environment that is expected to follow strict hygiene and safety protocols.
Violation of environmental rules
Environmental activist Akash Vashisht highlighted that the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued strict guidelines banning open burning of waste under all circumstances. He said the presence of accumulated garbage and its burning inside a hospital campus reflects a serious failure in waste disposal systems.
He added that institutions like hospitals should set an example in safe waste management rather than violating environmental norms.
Hospital administration orders probe
Responding to the incident, Chief Medical Superintendent Dr Sanjay Gupta stated that he was not aware of the garbage being set on fire. He assured that a detailed inquiry would be conducted to identify responsibility.
“If any staff member is found guilty of negligence or violation of rules, strict action will be taken,” he said.
Questions raised on hospital management
The incident has once again highlighted gaps in public healthcare infrastructure management, particularly in waste handling. Local residents and patient groups have demanded better monitoring, regular garbage clearance, and accountability to ensure that hospitals remain safe spaces for treatment rather than sources of health hazards.
As investigations continue, the incident serves as a reminder that environmental safety and public health are deeply connected, especially in sensitive zones like hospitals.
