KOCHI: Brahmapuram waste treatment plant is operating without any license. The Pollution Control Board (PCB) license expired in 2010. Then continued on a temporary license for three years. Later, the corporation approached the PCB several times but the license was not renewed due to non-compliance. A senior official said that the PCB had the authority to close the plant, but it backed off because the city and its surrounding areas would become a dumping ground.

17 crore fine

In 2016, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) imposed a fine of Rs 3 crore on the corporation for violating environmental protection laws. 14 crore fine was imposed in 2017. In all these cases, the Corporation has been holding on for so long on the strength of the stay obtained from the High Court. In 2020, the NGT ordered the prosecution of the Corporation Secretary for violations in Brahmapuram. Even though it was said that there will be punishments against PCB Chairman and Member Secretary if no action is taken, nothing happened. PCB contends that the Corporation has not given a proper reply despite several show-cause notices. The NGT has already informed that strict action will be taken against the Chief Secretary and Secretary if biomining is not completed by May.

The PCB did not respond to the notices as work was underway to construct a new organic waste treatment plant within a year.

TK Ashraf,

Chairman, Health Standing Committee

Investigation on fire

The Brahmapuram fire is being investigated under the leadership of City Police Commissioner K Sethuraman. Infopark police registered a case. Thrikkakara ACP PV Baby is in charge. He said that the collection of evidence is going on and the investigation will be intensified after the fire is extinguished.