KOCHI: The High Court has granted another eight weeks to the Kochi Municipal Corporation to pay Rs 100 crore fine imposed by the National Green Tribunal following the fire at the Brahmapuram waste plant. As per the order issued on March 16, the tribunal had directed to transfer the fine to the chief secretary within a month. A division bench comprising of Justice SV Bhatti and Justice Basant Balaji issued the order on the petition filed by Corporation.

At the same time, the division bench said that the directions of the NGT should be followed, including action against the officials responsible.

The High Court said that the roads in Kochi are equal to garbage piles in Brahmapuram. The division bench said this in a suo-moto case regarding Brahmapuram fire. Strict action should be taken against those who throw garbage in public places. Their vehicles should be seized. The division bench also clarified that a WhatsApp number can be provided to file a complaint.