KOCHI: With the state government floating the tender for setting up a new solid waste treatment plant at Brahmapuram the other day, environmentalists in Kochi have expressed concern over the possible issues that could arise if utmost care is not taken while setting up the new plant. “The officials concerned should see to it that the faults in the old treatment plant are avoided while setting up the new plant. Since the new one is capable of processing 500 tonnes of waste per day, the officials must take even more care so that it does not lead to environmental issue,” said environmentalist S Sitaraman. “In the case of the old plant, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide were produced while burning non-biodegradable waste. This causes immense health problems to the people living nearby. The authorities concerned should ensure that the new plant does not cause such issues,” he said.“Before the new plant is set up, the officials concerned should try and sort out the issues with the old one. First of all, the location of the old plant on the banks of river Kadambrayar has resulted in the leaching of waste in the river. Moreover, a 500-tonne capacity centralised waste treatment plant is not what we need. Decentralised treatment plants at various parts of the district with the capacity to treat 2 to 3 tonnes of waste will do a better job,” said environmentalist Geo Jose. “Efforts should also be taken to treat waste at the source itself,” he said.However, Corporation authorities brushed aside the fears, stating that the problem with the old plant will not be repeated. “The issue with the old plant was that the land was marshy and the plant sunk in. The new plant will be constructed after taking into account the problems with the old one,” Corporation health standing committee chairman T K Ashraf said. Meanwhile, he said the old plant has been functional for the past few weeks.
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