The National Green Tribunal has expressed displeasure over the delay in removal of burnt waste, plastic, ash and Rejected Derived Fuel (RDF) from the areas affected by the massive fire at Kochi Corporation’s dump site in Brahmapuram on March 2. ,
The Southern Bench of Justice Pushpa Satyanarayana, and expert member Dr. Satyagopal Korlapati asked the Additional Chief Secretary of the Local Self-Government Department to appear online to explain the plan of action and the time-frame within which it can be completed . Risks involved in leaving the site unattended. The officer has to submit the details of the proposed waste-to-energy plant and the time required to complete it.
The bench noted that the delay in the safe removal of the waste is a matter of serious concern as the piles of waste affected by the fire will seep into the ground and affect drinking water sources with the onset of monsoon. He said it would be more dangerous than fire.
As per the report submitted by the officials, around 80,000 tonnes of RDF has been recovered from the fire affected areas. The tribunal said that till the time the waste-to-energy plant becomes operational, it can be delivered to the cement manufacturing units.
It added, “We do not understand why various organs of the government are silent without removing it.”
The bench said it did not understand why there was a delay in removing the burnt waste, plastic, ash and segregated RDF from the site.