Orders to remove plastic bottles in Sabarimala

KOCHI: The Kerala High court on Thursday directed the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (PCB) to ensure the removal of used plastic water bottles in Sabarimala by the agency who got the contract for the supply of water, in terms of the provisions of the law, and file a report on December 21.The Devaswom Bench comprising Justice Thottathil B Radhakrishnan and Justice C T Ravikumar gave the direction. Two agencies are assigned for the supply of packed drinking water and they are bound to collect the empty bottles, but no such action is going on, the court observed.The court directed the PCB to issue strict directives and enforce the right handling of plastics. “Plastic could be recycled and can be utilised for better purposes, including, laying of roads. So the PCB should identify an appropriate NGO for recycling the waste plastic bottles and provide a feasibility report including, ways and means for collecting and disposal of plastic by such modes,” the court held.