To reduce the harmful effects of medical waste at its hospitals, the BMC has decided to disinfect the discarded material at source before its final disposal. The civic body will spend Rs 14 crore on the project, said officials.

The move follows central guidelines on management and handling of biomedical waste. The corporation plans to disinfect the waste at 41 civic-run hospitals and clinics, including four major and 17 peripheral hospitals and many maternity homes.