HC: Deadline to study of sewage treatment plant

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Thursday gave the state government four weeks’ time to consider the possibility of setting up a pilot project for the sewage treatment plant at Brahmapuram.  The state should convene a meeting with the representatives of the Pollution Control Board, Corporation Secretary and Clean Kerala Welfare Society. The court passed the order when a petition filed by advocate R Sudha came up for hearing. Advocate Commission Subhash Chand submitted a report on Thursday stating that the proposed sewage treatment plant under the KSUDP project at Mundamveli require over five years for completion. The report stated that a public-private-partnership (PPP) project may be the only solution for meetingthe immediate and current need for an eco-friendly disposal of septage and sewage waste.“Another project submitted by Aquakem Engineers (India) Pvt Limited for a sewage treatment plant was not feasible in the Kochi City,” the Commission submitted. The commission also submitted that the Brahmapuram, where the Corporation has 100 acres of land was an ideal locationfor a stand-alone sewage treatment plant on a public private partnership (PPP) basis. The Pollution Control Board and Shuchitwa Mission in connection with the Kerala Water Authority may explore the possibility of providing pre-treatment facility at Ernakulam,” the Commission submitted.