Kochi’s Brahmapuram Plant Fire ‘Extinguished’ Completely; Air Quality Remains Critical

THE FIRE at the Brahmapuram waste treatment plant in Kerala’s Kochi has been completely extinguished, after 12 days of continuous operations, Ernakulam District Collector Umesh NSK. He said that there was no smoke emanating from the site by Monday evening 

However, a warning has been issued for the citizens that even if smoke is no longer rising from the waste plant the city’s air quality has taken a beating and that there is also possibility of acid rain by Pollution control board. 

According to the National Air Quality Index, the prominent pollutant in Kochi city is Fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which cause many respiratory problems. 

The order further stated that due to increased level of pollution in the air, the level of chemical substances may be very high during the first summer rain of the year 

Earlier on Sunday, Ernakulam Distric Collector said that at least 95 per cent of smoke from the Brahmapuram fire was brought under control.

"A special action plan was be prepared to deal with this situation. Even if the smoke is completely extinguished, the fire service will continue. Systems such as guards and cameras will also be used,” said NSK.

Meanwhile, Union Minister of State (MoS) in Ministry of External Affairs V Muraleedharan on Sunday alleged "huge corruption in the waste management of Kochi Corporation" and demanded that the Kochi mayor should resign owning moral responsibility of the fire incident at Brahmapuram waste plant.

The fire occurred on March 2 and it is still not been extinguished completely. Last week, the Kerala High Court has also directed the Pollution Control Board to inform about measures taken over the fire incidents happening every year at the waste plant.

Talking to the media, Muraleedharan said, "It is a clear case of corruption. The contract was given to the relative of a CPI (M) leader. That itself shows that there has been a huge corruption in the waste management of Kochi Corporation".

"Either the Kochi Corporation which has the prime responsibility of waste management should be dissolved. If not that, at least the Mayor, the leader of the whole administration of the Kochi Corporation, should be asked to resign owning moral responsibility," Muraleedharan added.

Following the fire incident, the rescue operation was started under which over 5,000 litres of water were sprayed in active fire zones. On March 5, the district administration of Ernakulam declared a holiday for children in all schools in areas under Kochi corporation and the nearby municipalities and gram panchayats, as huge and thick clouds of toxic smoke billowing from the site engulfed the city.

(With Agencies Inputs)