Residents caring for bedridden and elderly family members in Kochi are facing a sharp rise in household bio-waste disposal costs after the agency contracted by the Kochi Corporation increased service charges.

The agency had been collecting bio-waste, including used adult diapers, at Rs 12 per kg, a rate that provided significant relief to households with high disposal needs. The charge has now been raised steeply to Rs 47 per kg, pushing disposal costs above the purchase price of the products themselves and placing a heavy financial burden on affected families.

According to officials, the agency had earlier approached the Kochi Corporation seeking a revision of rates. However, the previous council decided to retain the existing charges until the end of its term. After the new council assumed office, the agency implemented the revised rates independently.

The company has justified the increase by stating that the subsidy earlier provided by the Corporation is no longer being disbursed, making the previous pricing structure unviable.

Responding to the issue, Kochi Mayor V K Minimol said the fee hike is unacceptable and places undue pressure on vulnerable households. She added that once the bio-waste incinerator at Brahmapuram becomes fully operational, bio-waste will be processed there and residents will not be subjected to inflated charges for essential disposal services.

The issue has sparked concern among residents and caregivers, who have called for immediate intervention to restore affordable and humane waste management services in the city.