Brahmapuram soaked in corruption

KOCHI: The big rumor of corruption in the Brahmapuram solid waste plant is ringing true with day-to-day incidents. For waste disposal, the corporation spends yearly a wholesome amount of Rs 13 crore. However, the plant has no technical prowess to gauge the amount of waste collected nor does it has any options to monitor the trucks passing in with waste. CCTV cameras installed have gone impaired while the trucks purchased spending crores are down with damages.

The left, and right political parties and some echelons in business reap a good profit behind the veneer of the solid waste plant contracts. Meanwhile, the former mayor has also come up with accusations regarding Rs 14 crore corruption in the RS 54.90 crore allotted biomining contract.

According to the norms, Rs 28 to 36 lakh should be given to the contractor to clear the waste from the plant. The wastes reaching the plant should be composed after lacing them with organic mixtures. The plastic from this should be separated. the last contractor had a long reign of twelve years. He was changed after the UDF came to power in the corporation. And still, there is no quelling the verbal battle between the two parties in the corporation over this move.

The truck charges for one month cross Rs 80 lakhs. For years the contract has been with one man. Meanwhile, the corporation gave Rs 3.33 crore to buy 10 compact lorries. All 10 are now in the garage for repairs. Another Rs 55 crore was allotted for cutting down the plastic waste to pieces and using it for thermoelectricity. The work started in 2021 and till now not even 20% of the plastics have been cleared. The High court has now voluntarily taken a case against the running of the plant.