High Court concerned over plastic pollution in waterbodies

Kochi Corporation completes CBG plant project, faces court warning on waste management and infrastructure issues.

The implementation of the compressed biogas (CBG) plant project had been completed, while around 150 tonnes of waste was processed during daily trial runs. In addition, the construction of internal roads at the Brahmapuram waste treatment facility was complete, and the black soldier fly project was functioning effectively, the Kochi Corporation informed the Kerala High Court on Friday (June 14, 2025).

While taking note of the submission, the court warned that the Corporation could no longer rely on the excuse that waste continued to pile up in the city due to the lack of infrastructure to dispose it of. During the hearing of a suo motu petition initiated following the fire at the waste treatment unit in 2023, the court reminded the civic body that the government had earlier assured that financial hurdles would not delay the completion of the waste treatment project.

“We do not want financial constraints to stand in the way of the completion of the project,” the court said and expressed concern at waste continuing to accumulate across the city, with many waterbodies being choked with plastic. Plastic waste is seen in many areas on Willingdon Island and on city roads too.

The court further took exception to the poor upkeep of the Panampilly Nagar walkway, despite advertisements being permitted there. The advertiser has a duty to ensure that the walkway is kept clean, but the advertisement remains while its maintenance is neglected, it observed orally.