Kochi city has turned into a ‘gas chamber’ post Brahmapuram waste plant fire.
Kochi city has turned into a ‘gas chamber’ as smoke continues to billow out from the Municipal Solid Waste dumpsite at Brahmapuram since March 2nd.
Kochi city has turned into a ‘gas chamber’ as smoke continues to billow out from the Municipal Solid Waste dumpsite at Brahmapuram since March 2nd. The fire has come under control with the help of Fire and Rescue workers on the ground along with the Navy and even Air Force. Kochi is suffering from air pollution due to toxic fumes caused due to burning plastic waste.
Currently, Kalamassery, Aluva, Angamali, Thrikkakara, Thripunithara municipalities and the Cheranallur, Vadavukod Puthankurish panchayats also dump their waste at the Brahmapuram waste plant along with Kochi Corporation. 390 tonnes of waste is dumped at the Brahmapuram waste plant every day and 64% of this is biodegradable whereas the rest is plastic and non-biodegradable waste. Since 2012, the Kochi Corporation has had an agreement with a company named Bharat Traders to sell the plastic stored at Brahmapuram at a rate of Rs. 1.5 per kg but the company only takes the recyclable plastic and dumps the rest at the plant itself. In 2011 a waste-to-energy plant was about to be setup in Brahmapuram under a public-private partnership but in 2020 the contract was cancelled due to lack of funding.
The Pollution Control Board has imposed a fine of 14.92 crore on the Kochi Corporation for non-compliance with waste disposal regulations post the recent fire but the Corporation has sought a stay from the High court.
Leader of opposition in the Kerala Assemble, V D Satheesan urged the state government to declare a health emergency around Brahmapuram waste plant in Kochi due to toxic fumesthat can cause problems for people. He said” people are widely dizzy. Smoke is spreading not only in Kochi city but also in nearby districts”.
Work is going on to extinguish the fire with around 31 earth moving machines being deployed at the site and orders were given to the Tehsildars to bring more such machines, Naval helicopters were also used to pump water from above when wind direction was unfavourable for ground based operations.
