Kerala High Court Suggests Govt To Undertake Study For Use Of "7 Lakh Tons" Legacy Waste Lying At Brahmapuram In Road Construction
The Kerala High Court today orally suggested the State government that an expert study can be conducted to see if legacy waste at Brahmapuram can be used for the construction of roads.As per the Ernakulam District Collector, N S K Umesh, 7 lakh tons of legacy waste is lying at Brahmapuram. The site recently garnered a lot of media attention after a massive fire broke out at the waste...
The Kerala High Court today orally suggested the State government that an expert study can be conducted to see if legacy waste at Brahmapuram can be used for the construction of roads.
As per the Ernakulam District Collector, N S K Umesh, 7 lakh tons of legacy waste is lying at Brahmapuram. The site recently garnered a lot of media attention after a massive fire broke out at the waste management plant, shadowing nearby areas with smoke.
The High Court had initiated suo moto proceedings in the matter on March 6. Recently, the State had asked the presiding bench to constitute a Special Bench for consideration of issues relating to Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.
Accordingly, a special bench comprising Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas and Justice Gopinath P took up the matter today.
The Court orally enquired regarding the quantity of legacy waste lying at Brahmapuram. Ernakulam District Collector, N S K Umesh who appeared online, informed the Court that 7 lakh tons of legacy waste is lying at Brahmapuram. The Court put forth a suggestion and remarked that an expert study can be conducted to see if legacy waste can be used for construction of the roads.
The District Collector also apprised the Court of progress in the Socio-economic health impact assessment study. The Court was informed that a committee is already formed, institutions have been identified, questionnaires are being prepared and survey will be conducted soon. The court stated that the report of the study can be placed before the court when the study is completed.
Additional Chief Secretary of Cochin, Sarada Muraleedharan, also appeared online and apprised the court that the government has accorded sanction to the proposal of BPCL for establishment of a Bio CNG plant. The sanction order was issued on July 29.
As the Bio CNG plant will take some time to be operative, the Court enquired regarding the setting up of the Black Soldier Fly Technology project within 100 days of handing over of the site. The court was informed that approval of the Corporation is awaited in this regard.
Further, the Court examined the scope of Bio mining of legacy waste for land reclamation at Brahmapuram. Regarding setting up of Bio-mining plant at Brahmapuram, the Court was informed that tenders have been invited from contractors and the last date for opening the financial bid is fixed as today.
The Court also enquired whether there is seepage of water into the wells from the legacy waste lying at Brahmapuram. Additional Chief Secretary informed the Court that bundhs have been created and burnt ash is covered using tarpaulin sheets to prevent leakage into the neighbourhood or water bodies. To analyse the quality of well waters in the neighborhood, the Pollution Control Board has assured the Court that it will conduct water sampling from wells in and around Brahmapuram and submit report to the Court.
The Court will continue monitoring this issue and said that necessary statements and reports be filed. The matter has been posted to August 18, 2023 for further consideration.
Case Title- Suo moto v. State of Kerala