Trivandrum Is Like A Dump Site, Plastic Waste Flowing Into Canals Is Embarrassing For Capital City: Kerala HC Calls For Enhanced Waste Management

Last week, the Court conducted a special sitting after the death of a sanitation worker in the Aamayizhanchan canal. The Court had directed the Amicus Curiae to visit the canal and submit a report regarding the issue of plastic waste in the canal.

The Division Bench comprising Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas and Justice Gopinath P. thus directed the Standing Counsel for the Trivandrum Corporation, Railways and the Government Pleader to consider the suggestions and respond to the report submitted by the Amicus Curiae.

Envisioning a clean capital city, the Court said, “We want the cities to be clean, especially Trivandrum being the capital city. All the capital cities of the World are cities that are eye openers, it is a visual treat. Even in India, most of the capital cities are a visual treat. What we find from the report of the Amicus Curiae is that every part of Trivandrum is like a dump site and that is happening right under the nose of the government. How could this happen right under the nose of the government?”

The Court suggested the authorities visit countries like Sri Lanka to understand the methods used by them for waste management. It stated that nobody in Sri Lanka including tourists dumps waste on the roads. It also referred to the waste management method used in Singapore. The Court stated that Singapore burns plastic waste and they convert the heat and flames generated from burning plastic into substantial energy like electrical energy. The Court suggested the authorities take expert help and make use of waste management techniques followed by other countries in the World.

Additional Chief Secretary Sharadha Muraleedharan submitted before the Court that the State does not shy away from its responsibility in connection with the contamination of the Aamayizhanchan canal. The Additional Chief Secretary stated that a report will be submitted regarding the prevailing problems and action to be taken to clear the plastic waste from the Canal.

The Court enquired with the Addl. Chief Secretary on methods to prevent plastic waste flow into Aamayizhanchan canal and also steps to be taken to remove the existing waste from the canal. The Court also stated that the trash boom barriers in the canals in Trivandrum City were overflowing.

The Additional Chief Secretary submitted before the Court that steps are being taken to remove plastic waste from canals in the city. It is also submitted that the government has identified vulnerable points and unauthorized waste collectors who dispose of waste into the canals. It is also stated that the government intends to set up mini-collection facilities and is planning to conduct sensitization programs to prevent the disposal of waste in the canals. The Addl. Chief Secretary mentioned that they plan to clean the trash barriers daily, construct domes over the canals for protection, and repair any broken fences along the canals.

The Court further stated that waste collection is not proper under the Cochin Corporation. 

The Court further interacted with the Senior Divisional Mechanical Engineer of the Southern Railway Division and stated that railways are bound to take measures to prevent the dumping of plastic waste from trains into the railway tracks. The Court also stated that the railway tracks are covered with plastic food containers and cups which have to be removed. The Court stated that the authorities must cooperate with each other to effectively remove plastic waste from the side of railway tracks.

The Court made the above observations in the suo moto proceedings initiated by the High Court after the fire at the Brahmapuram dumping yard at Cochin City. Thereafter, the High Court constituted a special bench for considering matters relating to Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 (MSW Rules).

The matter has been posted for further hearing on August 09.

Case Title: Suo Moto v State of Kerala

Case Number: WP (C) 7844/2023