HC directs Collector to earmark land for sewage

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Monday directed the Ernakulam district Collector to earmark 40 cents of land for setting up a private pilot sewage treatment plant in Kochi. The court also asked Aquakem Engineers, a subsidiary of Sharjah-based company, to set up the plant at their own cost.A Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice C N Ramachandran Nair  and Justice P S Gopinathan passed the order while  considering a Public Interest Litigation filed by advocate R Sudha.  The petition was filed seeking a directive to ensure zero discharge of effluents to Munnar, Periyar, Pambanar and Chinnar rivers from resorts, hotels and restaurants situated in and around Munnar.The court asked the Collector to locate a suitable site having road access  for tanker lorries and  hand over it within 10 days.  The Collector should also allot land for Pollution Control Board (PCB) for setting up a temporary plant at Brahmapuram.The court directed the State, Corporation, PCB and the Shuchitva Mission to monitor the implem- entation of the pro- ject by the Aquakem and submit reports before the court.