The management of municipal solid waste and the functioning of the treatment plant at Brahmapuram have once again come under sharp focus with the Left Democratic Front-led Opposition councillors planing a site visit on Wednesday.
Earlier, an order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which slapped a hefty fine on the civic body for the delay in constructing the leachate treatment plant and completion of the new waste-to-energy plant, had put the Kochi Corporation in the dock. Subsequently, the civic body had got the NGT order stayed at the Kerala High Court. The stay will come to an end next week.
The past few council meetings had also witnessed heated debate over the management of the plant.
According to a statement issued by CPI (M) councillor V.P. Chandran, the NGT order had exposed the sad state of affairs at the plant. The tribunal had pointed out that the provisions of the Solid Waste Management Rules were flouted at the plant. The building that housed the plant was in a dilapidated condition, he said in a statement.
Plastic waste, which has been strewn all over the premises, could catch fire. Leachate from the plant is polluting the water body nearby. The LDF councillors decided to visit the plant to obtain first-hand information on the issue, the statement said.
However, the civic authorities said they had taken all possible measures for ensuring the smooth functioning of the plant.
Health standing committee chairperson V.K. Minimol informed the council on Tuesday that the paperwork for setting up the leachate treatment plant has been completed. Tenders were floated for the process. Steps for managing non-biodegradable waste in sanitary landfills had been initiated, she said.
Mayor Soumini Jain informed the council that the findings of the advocate commission, appointed by the NGT, was not communicated to the civic body. The Corporation came to know about in through the NGT order, she added.
