Fire at Brahmapuram waste plant: Kerala HC appoints panel to assess situation
Kerala to conduct health survey, says fire at 80% of plant under control; BJP urges Centre to send team.
3 min read
Fire at Brahmapuram waste plant broke out on March 2 . PTI Taking serious note of the administration’s failure in tackling the still-smouldering fire at the Brahmapuram waste plant near Kochi, which leaves a blanket of toxic smoke over the commercial hub of the state, the Kerala High Court Friday appointed a six-member committee to monitor the situation.
The committee, comprising the Ernakulam district collector, Pollution Control Board officials and secretary of the Kerala State Legal Services Authority, was told to visit the site within 24 hours. The court also directed the committee to explore viable, alternative and long-lasting options for the disposal of solid waste in the city. The court posted the matter to Monday.
Notably, Kochi is also on the threshold of another health crisis as the corporation has suspended solid waste movement for the last one week in the wake of the fire at Brahmapuram dumping yard. On Friday, the High Court directed the corporation to resume the collection of the waste from Saturday.
After a review meeting, Industries Minister P Rajeev told the media that fire, which broke out on March 2, was controlled at 80 percent of the dumping yard.
“We have used all available means to contain the fire. As many as 55 excavators have been used to pump water deep inside the plant. We have also used the services of the Navy and Air Force to douse the fire,’’ said the minister.
The health department has decided to conduct a survey to assess the situation around Brahmapuram to assess the health-related problems caused by the smoke pollution. As many as 687 persons have sought treatment at hospitals with breathing problems. Smoke IUCs have been opened at government hospitals in the city and pregnant women and persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases have been directed to remain indoors.
Meanwhile, BJP state president K Surendran wrote a letter to Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav, urging him to send a team of experts for the environment impact assessment due to the fire.
“People of Kochi are living in a gas chamber. Even after things have gone out of hand, the state government has not announced a health emergency to control the situation. The Kochi corporation has failed to comply with the solid waste management regulations despite repeated orders from the National Green Tribunal. In 2016, the tribunal had imposed a fine of Rs 3 crore on the corporation for violating the environmental protection laws,” Surendran said in his letter.
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