The worsening solid waste management scenario at the Kochi Corporation landfill in Brahmapuram prompted the State Pollution Control Board (PCB) to remove legal hurdles to reclaim an environmental compensation of ₹14.92 crore from l civic organization.

The council took action to overturn the stay issued by the Kerala High Court against the collection of the fine. The PCB had ordered the civic body to pay compensation for its failure to comply with the 2016 solid waste management rules.

Incidentally, the State Level Oversight Committee (SLMC) on Solid Waste Management appointed by the National Green Court (NGT) had fired the company for the deplorable state of the court which is filled with heaps of waste.

“The necessary instructions have been issued to cancel the stay against the collection of environmental compensation. The shortage of manpower facing the board had delayed these measures,” PCB Chairman AB Pradeep Kumar said.

The compensation was assessed for a period of 771 days from November 22, 2018 to December 31, 2020. The council found that the company generated 315.96 tonnes of waste per day, while the waste disposed of in accordance with the rules was only of 31.6 tons. . The waste management capacity deficit is 284.3 tonnes per day.

The PCB had come to the attention of the South Bench of the NGT in September 2020 for its failure to take enforcement action under the Solid Waste Management Rules 2016 against those responsible for dumping the waste at Brahmapuram.

Besides the waste generated within the boundaries of the company, the municipalities of Aluva, Angamaly, Thrikkakara, Kalamassery and Thripunitura transport unsorted biodegradable waste to landfill. These local bodies have also been notified for breaking the rules. But the council has yet to take any follow-up action, according to official documents.