Pollution Control Board told to check KMCT Medical College sewage unit

KOZHIKODE: Following widespread protests by local residents against the sewage treatment plant (STP) at KMCT Medical College campus in Mukkam, the municipality has sought the intervention of Pollution Control Board (PCB). Mukkam municipal secretary has asked the PCB to inspect the STP and inform whether it has the consent of the board.

"PCB is the competent authority to decide on STP. We have inspected the spot and the plant was not working satisfactorily,” said Municipal Health Inspector Madhusudhanan K. The STP, situated near the KMCT hospital main office claims it can treat three lakh litres of water per day. However, the STP is not even covered by a net and became mosquito breeding centre. Further, untreated or partially treated water is being drained out to secluded places in the campus forming several breeding spots.

“We have been suffering from this for a decade. The STP is not at all scientific. The waste from the stay of migrant labourers is also pumped out in the campus," alleges Biju P.B, president of Sandram Residence Association, Manasserry in Mukkam. People point that water in the wells at Nedunkandathil, Urulankunnath and Vazhakattupoyil areas have been polluted due to waste water percolation.
The health wing of Mukkam municipality has asked the KMCT authorities not to use the treated water from the STP. KMCT authorities were unavailable for comment. A operator with the STP claimed that the plant has been functioning fulfilling all adequate measures.