The National Green Tribunal (NGT) directive to the Kochi Corporation to complete the new solid waste treatment plant in six months has baffled the civic body as it has no role in the establishment of the new plant. The new plant is being set up by a private consortium which won the bid floated by the State government. The role of the civic body regarding the new plant is limited to the allocation of a 20-acre holding at Brahmapuram on lease to the firm.
The NGT, in its judgment, said it was informed by the counsel of the civic body that “though a contract agreement had been entered with the concessionaire on 07.02.2017, land transfer was made only on 26.02.2018 which is more than a year after contract agreement had been entered into.” Thereafter, the panel noted: “Other than laying foundation stone and undertaking other peripheral works, nothing further obviously appears to have been done. Although, Consent to Establish had been obtained from the Kerala State Pollution Control Board on August 30, 2018, no application has been submitted for Environmental Clearance.”
The Corporation has nothing to do with the new plant as the project is being implemented by the State government and a private agency, said Mayor Soumini Jain. .
Civic body for appeal
The Corporation is planning to file an appeal against the directive of the NGT which slapped a fine of ₹1 crore on it and ordered a performance guarantee of ₹3 crore. Ms. Jain said adequate legal measures will be taken, including the filing of an appeal, against the order.
On the refuse accumulated at Brahmapuram, she said plastic and other waste collected from various parts of the city since 2006 were there.
