Aafrin Kidwai 
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) to initiate prosecution and recover compensation from the Kochi corporation for noncompliance of directives issued by the tribunal on the solid waste treatment plant at Brahmapuram.
“We find that the steps taken to be inadequate having regard to the serious adverse consequences of acknowledged unscientific handling of waste management…1 lakh litre collection capacity for the leachate is nearing completion and the leachate is to be diverted to septage treatment plant. It is doubtful whether leachate can be treated in an ordinary septage treatment plant as it contains heavy metals. The progress appears to be very slow and in disregard to the statutory and constitutional obligation of providing clean environment. It is the responsibility of the KSPCB to initiate prosecution and recover compensation for such failures failing which, the Chairman and the Member Secretary of the KSPCB may be liable for their failure.”
The NGT said this could lead to serious adverse consequences and has directed KSPCB to take effective steps in the matter on a day to day basis and a further report filed before August 4, 2020.
Read the full order of the NGT here.
