Keralam pollution control board asks Kochi Corporation to stop vehicle washing, waste dumping near Kadambrayar at Brahmapuram

Inspections conducted by the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) have revealed that vehicles used for the collection and transportation of food waste were being washed at the Kochi Corporation’s dumping site in Brahmapuram, close to the banks of the Kadambrayar river.

The board has also found that the non-recoverable portion of food waste, separated during screening, was being dumped near the Sector A area, where biomining of legacy waste has been completed. Both activities were detected near the protection wall constructed between the dumping yard and the Kadambrayar to minimise the possibility of leachate and waste materials entering the river.

The inspections were conducted as part of the remedial measures initiated by the authorities to address pollution of the water body. The Brahmapuram stretch of the Kadambrayar is among the 32 polluted river stretches identified by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in the State.

Officials of the board said they had asked the Kochi Corporation authorities to stop washing vehicles and indiscriminately dumping food rejects in the area, as these activities could lead to the accumulation of contaminated wastewater. Given the site’s proximity to the river, there is a high risk of contaminated leachate entering the waterbody.

The civic body has been asked to make arrangements for the collection and management of contaminated leachate generated in the area. There should be no further dumping of waste in the area reclaimed after biomining, the officials said.

The Corporation has initiated remedial measures to address the lapses pointed out by the board. Mayor V.K. Minimol said a space would be earmarked for washing vehicles engaged in the collection and transportation of food waste to the site. The agency entrusted with the operation and maintenance of the vehicles has been directed to set up a facility to collect any runoff from the designated area in accordance with the norms, she said.

The Mayor said the agency had identified land in Kalamassery to park the vehicles. However, the vehicles needed to be washed properly before being parked at the identified site, she said.