Brahmapuram fire: NGT slams govt, slaps Rs 100 crore fine on Kochi Corporation

KOCHI: The National Green Tribunal has issued an order in connection with the Brahmapuram fire. Kochi Corporation has to pay a fine of Rs 100 crore. The order says that this amount should be paid to the Kerala Chief Secretary. The amount should be used for health care of the victims and other remedial measures. The order says that criminal action should be taken against the officials responsible for this.

The NGT has asked why the government is not taking moral responsibility for the incident. The tribunal said that toxic substances were found in the air and in the surrounding marshes in lethal quantities and also specified that a well-functioning waste plant should be set up in the future. The order also criticized the continuous failure of waste management in Kerala, especially in Kochi.

Additional Chief Secretary V Venu also appeared before the tribunal through online mode. “The state government is solely responsible for the fire and there is no escape from this. A fine of Rs 500 crore will be collected from the government if necessary.”, warned Justice AK Goyal. The state had submitted a detailed affidavit to the tribunal regarding the steps taken in Brahmapuram and future plans. The measures taken to extinguish the fire were also explained.

The statement also clarifies that organic waste will be reduced in the Brahmapuram plant and plastic waste will not be brought to Brahmapuram. The state also requested that another case should not be initiated by the Tribunal as there is a case taken up by the Kerala High Court voluntarily. The Tribunal clarified that there will be no interference contrary to the High Court order.