CSIR-NIIST develops technology to convert biomedical waste into soil additives
COIMBATORE: Inter-state disputes over dumping of biomedical waste can be mitigated if they can be used productively in agriculture. This is what the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) are trying to do.
CSIR's National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) has come up with a first-of-its kind solution to convert biomedical waste into soil additives, said C Anandharamakrishnan, Director of CSIR-NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram, in Salem on Thursday.
Anandharamakrishnan, who delivered the convocation address at the 24th convocation of Periyar University held on its campus, said "All biomedical waste can be converted into a soil additive. Not only that, we have developed the technology and installed the equipment at AIIMS, New Delhi, where it has been demonstrated to work very well. Once approval is received from the Central Pollution Control Board, it can be implemented not only in India but across the globe," he said while also recalling reports about two states fighting over dumping of biomedical waste.
He also said "the steel slag produced at the Salem unit will be converted for use in road construction, a technology that has already been successfully demonstrated in the northeastern states."
"Just 10 days ago, CSIR signed an agreement with JSW Steel Plant, Salem, to utilise the waste generated at the steel plant," Anandharamakrishnan said.
He also pointed out that India is growing across all sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, energy, space, and industry, accelerating GDP growth.
With a GDP of about USD 4.19 trillion in 2025, India is the world's fourth-largest economy and is on track to become the third largest by 2027-28, driven by strong domestic demand and infrastructure growth.
At the convocation Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi, who is the Chancellor of Periyar University, presented degree certificates in person to 468 students, including gold medalists and PhD scholars. As many as 48,961 students will receive degree certificates in absentia.
Convenor-Vice Chancellor Committee, E Sundaravalli, Registrar (FAC) V Raj and others were present.