Photo: Mathrubhumi
New Delhi: The waste disposal systems and accompanying facilities were not installed scientifically at Brahmapuram solid waste treatment plant, reveals an interim report prepared by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) following inspections at the recently fire-hit plant in Kochi.
"Unsegregated waste is dumped on open space. The Kochi Municipal Corporation has launched the plant without taking precautions and flouting norms. The Kerala State Pollution Control Board had denied permission to operate the plant several times," says the report prepared by the Bengaluru regional directorate of CPCB after visiting the plant on March 10.
The plant is not operating as per the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.
According to the report, the fire brigade was trying to douse the fire when the team arrived at the plant for inspection. Officials from the Ernakulam District Office of the Pollution Control Board were also present during the inspection.
Findings in the report
1) The fire and safety department has ruled out the possibility of methane gas emissions from the garbage. Further, they informed that sparks emitted from nearby electric posts would not trigger a fire accident.
3) There is a possibility of methane gas emission due to the accumulation of unsegregated organic wastes in the plant. However, the fire and safety department has ignored this possibility.
4) The plant is not operating in accordance with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. Waste dumped on plant premises are not segregated.
5) The plant is functioning without receiving approval from Kerala State Pollution Control Board.
6) Application for permission to run the plant has been rejected many times.
7) The plant lacks basic facilities, including poor design, inadequate road facilities and a drainage system. The main building of the plant is in a wretched state.
8) The contractor, Zonta Infratech Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru, has not taken any steps to remove the waste.
9) The contract for waste management has been awarded for Rs 55 crore. The contract period is up to April 2023.
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