Parishad sees red in Brahmapuram plant
Waste-to-energy model not sustainable.

KOCHI: The Kerala Sasthra Sahitya Parishad, which has crossed swords with the State Government at Keezhattoor, has come out against the Waste to Energy plant at Brahmapuram, the stone for which is set to be laid by the Chief Minister on Monday here. KSSP says it is neither economically viable nor environmentally sustainable and also uses a dangerous process harmful to the people in and around the area. "Several scientists as well as institutions have come out against this plant. With the heavy monsoon seasons the state is experiencing the biodegradable waste coming to the plant will be containing up to 75% moisture at times.
“In the first place the external power required to heat it up and bring it to a combustible condition will be huge," said M S Mohanan, convener of the environment panel of KSSP in the district of Kerala Sasthra Sahiya Parishad. "In the first step wastes are burnt to generate 'syngas' which is highly poisonous and explosive. Handling of this hazardous gas is extremely complicated. Very critical and costly equipment will be needed for its handling. The lapses and failures in handling this will be disastrous," said Mr Mohanan.
"The entire waste brought to this plant, both organic and non-organic, is burnt in it. The wastes generated in Kochi Corporation and surrounding panchayaths and municipalities contain a large amount of plastics - plastics of all types. “Many of the plastic varieties especially those containing PVC give out very dangerous chemicals like dioxins which are carcinogenic. Dumping of a large amount of garbage at Brahmapuram will also pollute Kadambrayar river," said K R Santhi Devi, district president of KSSP. "People are now realizing that "my waste is my responsibility", and they are installing household waste treatment systems and using manure for gardens.
Now the primary duty of the authorities is to protect and propagate these initiatives. Instead, the Kochi Corporation is going after such a disastrous project. “It will help only the entrepreneur of a technology which is not proved anywhere and the truck lobby that is grabbing public money by inflating waybills and also some officials who are hand in glove in this. The State Government should not support it," said K K Bhaskaran, district secretary of KSSP.