Brahmapuram Fire Case: Kerala High Court Suo Moto Impleads Southern Railways For Prevention Of Waste Dumping Around Railway Tracks
The Kerala High Court has suo moto impleaded the Southern Railways authorities over the issue of prevention of waste dumping around railway tracks, in light of the Brahmapuram fire disaster.The Special Bench comprising Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas and Justice Gopinath P along with other officials visited the Brahmapuram site on March 07, 2024, to evaluate the progress of waste treatment...
The Kerala High Court has suo moto impleaded the Southern Railways authorities over the issue of prevention of waste dumping around railway tracks, in light of the Brahmapuram fire disaster.
The Special Bench comprising Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas and Justice Gopinath P along with other officials visited the Brahmapuram site on March 07, 2024, to evaluate the progress of waste treatment undertaken at Brahmapuram site.
The Site was recently in the news due to a massive fire incident. After the fire at the Brahmapuram dumping yard in Cochin city, the Kerala High Court instituted suo moto proceedings and constituted a special bench for considering matters relating to Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 (MSW Rules).
It also stated that the Kochi Corporation must explore the possibilities of providing internal roads through the Brahmapuram site to enable the free movement of vehicles and fire engines.
The Court stated that dumping of waste on the sides of railway tracks should also be dealt with. It stated that action must be taken to prevent and remove the accumulation of waste lying on the sides of railway tracks. The government apprised the Court that Southern Railways has been alerted about the menace of accumulation of waste in and around the areas of the railway tracks.
Thus, the Court suo moto impleaded the Southern Railways as an additional respondent. It said, “Since waste dumping on the sides of the railway tracks in and around railway stations continues unabated, it is necessary to implead the said also as an additional respondent. Therefore, Southern Railways, represented by its General Manager, Chennai, is hereby suo motu impleaded as additional respondent No.10.”
Further Actions
The Court also took note of the rampant dumping of plastic waste near seashores in various parts of the State. It directed the State government to direct the local authorities to pay attention to tourist destinations in Kasargod such as Bekal. The Court was given assurance that the State government would direct local authorities for the removal of plastic waste dumped on the beach sides.
The Court stated that the disposal of sanitary napkins must be taken seriously. It directed the Kochi Corporation to explore possibilities of setting up sanitary napkin incinerators.
Further, the Court also appreciated the treatment of legacy waste undertaken by the M/s.Bhumi Green Energy. It said, “By the date of our visit, they had already processed 70000 metric tonnes of legacy waste, and the person in charge expressed the hope of removing the entire legacy waste within a few months.”
Also, the Court acknowledged arrangements made for the Black Soldier Fly Project to tackle the issue of wet waste lying at Brahmapuram. It was informed that under the Black Soldier Fly Project, the larvae of the Black Soldier Fly would convert organic waste into animal feed and that the larvae would be subjected to treatment.
The matter has been posted to April 09, 2024, for further hearing.
Case title: Suo Moto v. State of Kerala
Case number: WP(C) NO. 7844 OF 2023