Surprise inspection uncovers faulty waste disposal, tempered data at Benglauru lab

Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Saturday ordered a detailed investigation into a private environmental laboratory in Bengaluru after a surprise inspection by him and senior Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) officials uncovered multiple irregularities.The Forest, Ecology and Environment minister has also directed the KSPCB to conduct thorough inspections of other laboratories involved in collecting and analysing environmental samples across the state.Reddy inspected the Bengaluru Analytics and Research Laboratory Private Limited unit along with senior KSPCB officials and found several discrepancies related to staffing, regulatory approvals, waste disposal, testing charges and the accuracy of analysis reports.During the inspection, officials found that the laboratory had obtained prior permission from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF) on the basis that three analysts would be employed at the facility. However, only one analyst was present when the minister visited the laboratory.According to the inspection findings, the other two analysts had not been working at the institution for the past five months. The laboratory was also found to be operating without valid consent from the KSPCB. Officials said its Consent for Establishment had expired in 2025, but the unit continued its operations.The inspection further revealed shortcomings in the disposal of waste generated through laboratory activities. Instead of having a proper waste management system, the waste was allegedly being discharged into an open pit.The inspection also raised questions over the laboratory's sample collection and analysis charges. Officials compared the rates recorded by the laboratory with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) analysis rate chart and found significant differences.The CPCB rate for analysing water samples from a sewage treatment plant (STP) unit was cited as Rs 5,000, while the laboratory records showed a charge of Rs 1,000.Similarly, the CPCB rate for collecting and analysing air pollution samples from factories was cited as Rs 13,000, whereas records at the laboratory showed charges of Rs 650. Officials flagged the wide variation for further examination as part of the investigation.Discrepancies were also detected between field data collected during noise-level measurements and the figures subsequently reflected in the laboratory's final analysis reports.Based on these findings, the minister raised concerns about the reliability of the laboratory's reports."Consequently, the Honourable Minister stated that the analysis report of this laboratory is found to be suspicious, and therefore, a complete investigation has been ordered," the official statement said.Reddy said there are around 50 laboratories in Karnataka involved in collecting and analysing water, air and noise samples. He described the inspection as a test case and said it would serve as a warning to other laboratories."This laboratory is inspected as exptest case and it will serve as a warning to all other laboratories," the statement quoted the minister as saying.The minister has directed the KSPCB Chairman and Member Secretary to initiate thorough inspections of the remaining laboratories in the state.The findings of the investigation into the Bengaluru facility and subsequent inspections are expected to determine whether further regulatory or enforcement action is required.- EndsWith PTI inputsPublished On: Sep 12, 2026 22:38 IST