18 diagnostic centres, labs closed for flouting biomedical waste rules in Ramban

Banihal, Nov 26: In a major crackdown on environmental and health violations, the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC) has ordered the immediate closure of 18 diagnostic centres and clinical laboratories operating illegally in Ramban district for gross violations of biomedical waste and pollution control laws.

According to an official order issued on November 24, 2025, these medical facilities were functioning without mandatory authorization under the Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016, and were also found violating provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.

The closure orders have been issued against the following diagnostic centres and laboratories in Banihal, Khari, Ukhral, Ramban, Batote, Gool and Sangaldan of Ramban district including M/s Riyan Clinical Laboratory (Banihal), Alshifa Clinical Laboratory (Ukhral), Bismillah Diagnostic Centre (Banihal), Malik Clinical Laboratory (Batote), Smile Dental Clinic (Ramban), Health Care and Clinical Laboratory (Khari), Noor’s Smile Dental Clinic (Ramban), Malik Clinical Laboratory (Sangaldan), Ace Diagnostic Centre (Banihal), Medi World Diagnostic Centre (Nagbal, Banihal), Alfa Diagnostic Centre (Banihal), Raghunath Diagnostic Centre (Ramban), Care Well Diagnostic Centre (Ramban), Khanday Hospital (Banihal), Prime Clinical Laboratory (Ramban), Maya Diagnostic Laboratory (Ramban), Jaan Clinical Laboratory (Banihal) and Hi-Tech Clinical Laboratory (Banihal).

Officials from the Pollution Control Committee revealed that despite repeated notices, including a final notice served on February 07, 2025, the concerned laboratory owners failed to obtain the necessary permissions and continued operations in violation of law.

A recent inspection conducted by the Divisional Officer, JKPCC Ramban confirmed that these units were not only operating without authorization but were also non-compliant in the segregation, handling and disposal of hazardous biomedical waste — posing serious risks to public health and the environment.

Following the inspection, the matter was escalated and closure was recommended by the Regional Director, JKPCC Jammu. Acting under powers vested through Section 33(A) of the Water Act and Section 31(A) of the Air Act, the committee ordered immediate shutdown of all listed establishments.

To ensure strict enforcement, the committee has directed the JPDCL Electric Division, Ramban to disconnect power supply to these labs, while the Jal Shakti Department has been instructed to terminate their water connections. The Deputy Commissioner, Ramban has been tasked with overseeing the full implementation of the closure orders on ground.

The operation and execution of this order will be monitored by the Divisional Officer, JKPCC Ramban. The order has been issued with the approval of the competent authority and duly signed by Dr. R. Gopinath, IFS, Member Secretary, J&K Pollution Control Committee.

This action comes as part of JKPCC’s wider efforts to tighten regulation on healthcare facilities and prevent environmental hazards arising from improper disposal of biomedical waste, which can have severe long-term health consequences for the local population.