The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a fine of Rs 100 crore on the Kochi Municipal Corporation for the fire that broke out at the Brahmapuram waste plant. The NGT directed the corporation to pay the fine to the Chief Secretary of Kerala within one month. The order also called for criminal and departmental action against the officials responsible for the fire. The NGT bench led by chairperson Adarsh Kumar Goel criticized the continuous failure of waste management in Kerala, especially in Kochi. The tribunal warned that a fine of Rs 500 crore will be collected from the state government if necessary.
The order stated that the Rs 100 crore fine should be used for the healthcare of the fire victims and other remedial measures. The toxic substances were found in lethal quantities in the air and in the marshes surrounding the waste plant. The NGT recommended that the waste plant should be set up in the future to function smoothly.
The NGT’s order highlighted the negligence of the Kerala government and the Kochi Corporation in managing the waste plant, resulting in the fire. The state government failed to take action when the fire broke out, and officials responsible for the plant’s maintenance must face criminal and departmental action. The NGT bench pointed out that the continuous failure of waste management in Kerala, particularly in Kochi, is unacceptable.
The NGT’s order also expressed concern about the toxic substances found in the air and marshes surrounding the waste plant. The NGT recommended that the waste plant must be set up to function smoothly to prevent the recurrence of such incidents. The NGT warned that a fine of Rs 500 crore would be collected from the state government if necessary.
The state government submitted a detailed affidavit to the tribunal regarding the steps taken in the Brahmapuram fire and future plans. The affidavit stated that organic waste would be reduced, and plastic waste would not be dumped at the Brahmapuram plant. The state government requested that another case should not be initiated by the tribunal as a case has already been taken up by the Kerala High Court voluntarily.
Kerala local self-government Minister M.B. Rajesh said that the government is serious about the NGT’s order against the Kochi Municipal Corporation. The government has taken immediate intervention in the Brahmapuram waste plant issue. Kochi Mayor M Anil Kumar said that the Kochi Corporation would proceed with legal action against the NGT for imposing the Rs 100-crore fine. The mayor said that the amount cannot be paid in the present situation. Things need to be taken to a new level, and the corporation would do everything sincerely and responsibly.
The NGT’s order highlights the negligence of the Kerala government and the Kochi Corporation in managing the waste plant. The fine imposed by the NGT should be used for the healthcare of the fire victims and other remedial measures. The NGT has recommended that the waste plant must be set up to function smoothly to prevent the recurrence of such incidents. The government and the corporation must take immediate action to address the issues and manage the waste effectively to protect the environment and public health.
