KOCHI: As the proposal of the new waste disposal plant is in progress one should analyse and see why the Brahmapuram Municipal Solid Waste Disposal Plant has been an utter failure. Moreover, the plant is taking its toll on the Kadambrayar and nearby rivers, the main source of potable water in the nearby areas. From the time it was set up, its functioning was not up to the mark. The facility was not a viable solution for the waste disposal problems of the Kochi Corporation. The key functions of the plan were weighing mechanism with utility, sorting of non-biodegradable waste, accelerated aerobic composting, secure land filling facility, effluent treatment plant, drinking water facility and green belt. Going by the plans, it looked like Brahmapuram plant would be one of the best solid waste processing sites in the world. But in reality none of the functions were in active mode and the plant became a burden for the land. After the inaugural processes the government and the authorities conveniently forgot about all the functions which they promised, and about the people who reside there. The location of plant is on the bank where rivers Kadambrayar, Chitrapuzha and Manakkathodu unite. Kadambrayar is one of the main sources of potable water of the nearby five panchayats. Even earlier the dumping of ammonia from FACT in Brahmapuram area began to pollute the river. The result of this unscientific dumping affected agriculture badly. The arrival of Brahmapuram Diesel Power Plant has only helped increase pollution. The condition has become worse after the waste disposal plant came up. As there was no scientific solution for proper disposal, leachate, a black coloured liquid coming out of solid waste, was directed into Kadambrayar. Dumping tons of solid waste without any restriction has affected the natural flow of the water. The Water Quality Analysis Report on Kadambrayar river says that Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) near the plant is 36 mg/L and away from plant is 5 mg/L. The desirable limit is 2 mg/L. The amount of chloride is 1247.84 and 99.26 mg/L near and away from the plant respectively. The normal chloride amount is 75 mg/L. The pH value was also above the limit and the presence of E Coli (A bacillus (Escherichia coli) normally found in the human gastrointestinal tract and existing as numerous strains, some of which are responsible for diarrhoeal diseases) was also detected in water. There are so many institutions functioning on the banks of Kadambrayar, including Rajagiri School of Engineering College, Christu Jayanthi Public school and some flats. “Sometimes we have to get out of our classrooms due to the stink from plant. Last day we had our lunch in a park because of the foul smell,” said a student from Christu Jayanthi Public School complained. “The number of insects and pests like mosquitoes has increased after ever since the plant was set up. Diseases like chikungunya and jaundice have been reported,” one of the residents said. ”Before, we used to catch fishes from Kadambrayar, now their number is depleting,” he said. Now the authorities are planning to build a new plant on the site. But before they start, they should check out whether the place is apt for the purpose. The death of a river like Kadambrayar which is the lung of an entire village will be a unbearable loss. So any new project coming up at the site should be implemented in such a way that it is not a burden on the river and nature.
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