Kochi: As the Suchitwa Mission completed the removal of waste from flooded areas in the district, the Kochi Corporation’s Brahmapuram waste treatment plant is sitting on a powder keg with huge piles of unsegregated garbage shifted from affected local bodies.
If the inorganic waste, mostly beds, pillows, clothes, upholsteries, damaged plastic furniture and other trashes are not processed, there are high chances for a major fire outbreak, according to civic authorities.
Even a minor spark can trigger devastating fire as the entire dumping yard is filled with huge piles of plastic waste. The city corporation has submitted a resolution to the State government urging immediate measures for segregation and scientific processing of flood garbage. Since the waste is from other parts of the district, the government is responsible for its processing, according to corporation authorities.
“A total of 2,618 truckloads of chemical waste, nearly 1,110 tonnes, from flood-hit areas have been transported to Brahmapuram,” said V.K Minimol, the corporation's health standing committee chairperson.
“The Suchitwa Mission team which was entrusted with waste removal has finished the process and quit the plant without taking further measures. No measures have been taken for its segregation and processing.”
Meanwhile, Suchitwa Mission district coordinator Siju Thomas said since the garbage piles contain clothes, cushions, pillows and beds, there is no need for landfilling.
“Only hazardous waste should be landfilled. Capping is an option for treating the flood waste,” he told DC.
“Discussions are on to find out a solution for processing the waste, which has no recycle value. Representatives of cement companies from Tamil Nadu have approached us to check whether the garbage can be used as fuel in their plants. A final decision in this regard has not been taken.”
