Month: April 2023

Kerala’s waste management programme to be funded by the World Bank

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The World Bank will provide funding for the State government’s waste management programme in light of the landfill fire at Brahmapuram. In a meeting between Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and World Bank officials, it was decided to immediately conduct a drone survey of all dumping yards in the State, following which a fire audit will also be conducted. A special team will be formed for this purpose. A solid waste management programme was earlier initiated with World Bank funding, from which funds will be utilised. The services of experts from…

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Rs 100 crore environmental compensation levied on Kochi Municipal Corporation by NGT

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The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Kochi Municipal Corporation in Kerala to pay an environmental compensation of Rs 100 crore for the damage to the environment because of its failure to handle solid waste. The NGT was hearing a matter in which it had initiated suo-motu (on its own) proceedings on the basis of a media report on an environmental emergency caused due to a fire at a dump site in Kochi. “We are conscious that an identical issue is being dealt with by the Kerala High Court,…

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Fire at Brahmapuram waste treatment plant in Kochi raises a stink, Why ?

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Seven days on, toxic fumes from the blaze continue to choke residents of Kochi and neighbouring Alappuzha even as corruption in the plant’s management is alleged Kochi is under watch as toxic emissions from the March 2 fire at the Brahmapuram waste treatment plant have reached as far as the neighbouring district of Alappuzha. The administration’s inability to contain the blaze at the plant, which is spread over 110 acres in the heart of the city, has put the spotlight on unscientific solid waste management. Kerala is highly literate but…

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Kerala HC vows action on Brahmapuram’s solid waste crisis

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KOCHI: With the Brahmapuram smoke literally choking the Kerala high court judge heading the bench hearing the suo motu PIL, the court on Tuesday vowed to bring about a change in the state at the grassroots-level by the World Environment Day (June 5) this year through strict implementation of Solid Waste Management and Handling Rules, 2016. Considering the PIL registered on the basis of a letter written to the chief justice by justice Devan Ramachandran, the bench that comprises justices SV Bhatti and Basant Balaji on Tuesday did not heed…

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Brahmapuram dumping yard : Major Fire breakout

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A major fire broke out at the dumping yard of the Kochi Corporation at Brahmapuram on Thursday. Smoke that billowed out of the plant spread over Brahmapuram and Karimugal areas. Fire and Rescue Services personnel were deployed at the site to contain the fire that broke out around 4.30 p.m. Nearly 10 fire tenders from Thrikkakara, Eloor, Thripunithura, Gandhi Nagar, and Aluva were engaged in efforts to douse the flames. “We are facing hurdles in containing the fire as it had spread over mounds of waste. With the fire and…

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Buildings to ensure Net Zero waste mandatorily

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Centre will issue a directive to State governments to incorporate the requirement in building bylaws as part of efforts to eradicate manual scavenging; it proposes to impose penalty for violations; mechanised sewerage important for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals All upcoming housing societies and commercial complexes in the country will soon mandatorily have to ensure net zero waste and have their liquid discharge treated, as part of the government’s push for reforming and modernising the sewage disposal system. Achieving net zero waste means reducing, reusing, and recovering waste streams (sludge) to…

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Greater Chennai Corporation cuts down allocation for waste management.

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CHENNAI: The solid waste department has received 50% less funding than previous years, and there is no mention of improving toilets or basic sanitation. A competition has been announced, and councillors and officials will benefit if their wards are designated as litter-free. There is a meagre 260 cr allocation this year, down from `424 crore last year. GCC clarified that there was a lot of focus on source segregation and solid waste disposal projects that will be implemented using the Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 funds. According to chief engineer N…

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Kochi corporation allotted Rs 2.20 billion for solid waste management.

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The Brahmapuram fire, which sparked widespread discussion throughout the state, prompted the Kochi Corporation to include Rs 2.20 billion for the solid waste management project in its 2023-24 budget. According to Kochi Mayor M. Anilkumar, “The Corporation’s focus this year is on solid waste management  mosquito eradication, roll-on roll-off vessels, and financial self-sufficiency. The most recent budget was the first in the history of the local body to not allocate cash at the division level, and it was presented by Deputy Mayor K A Ansiya amid chants from opposition council…

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