Kochi Corporation cancels waste biomining contract, blacklists company

02 Jun 2023 CW Team

During the meeting, the Corporation authorised the Corporation Secretary to handle legal matters concerning the dispute with the firm. Starting from June 1, three private agencies, recognized by the Kerala State Suchitwa Mission, will assume responsibility for managing biodegradable waste in the city. Each agency will handle up to 50 tonnes of waste. However, this decision faced strong opposition from the Opposition councillors, as they believed it would impose a financial burden on the civic body.

In addition to this change, the corporation intends to seek permission from the State government to establish a 100-tonne plant for processing biodegradable waste. This facility will serve as an interim solution until the proposed compressed biogas plant by BPCL Kochi Refineries becomes operational. The Mayor also emphasized the need for another plant to process sanitary waste.

Amidst the proceedings, TK Ashraf, the chairperson of the Health Standing Committee, who had recently joined hands with the UDF after parting ways with the LDF, expressed opposition to certain items on the meeting agenda, causing some embarrassment to the ruling front. Although Ashraf suggested utilising the existing plant at Brahmapuram for waste processing, the Corporation Secretary explained that the Kerala State Pollution Control Board and the courts had rejected this proposal.

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On Tuesday, the Kochi Corporation Council took the decision to terminate the contract with Zonta Infratech for the biomining of legacy waste at the Brahmapuram yard. Mayor M Anilkumar announced that the company would also be blacklisted due to alleged failure in completing the biomining work. The Mayor further informed the council that the agency's response to the show-cause notice issued by the civic body was deemed unsatisfactory. To complete the pending work, the Corporation plans to solicit new bids from other agencies, with the costs to be recovered from Zonta. During the meeting, the Corporation authorised the Corporation Secretary to handle legal matters concerning the dispute with the firm. Starting from June 1, three private agencies, recognized by the Kerala State Suchitwa Mission, will assume responsibility for managing biodegradable waste in the city. Each agency will handle up to 50 tonnes of waste. However, this decision faced strong opposition from the Opposition councillors, as they believed it would impose a financial burden on the civic body. In addition to this change, the corporation intends to seek permission from the State government to establish a 100-tonne plant for processing biodegradable waste. This facility will serve as an interim solution until the proposed compressed biogas plant by BPCL Kochi Refineries becomes operational. The Mayor also emphasized the need for another plant to process sanitary waste. Amidst the proceedings, TK Ashraf, the chairperson of the Health Standing Committee, who had recently joined hands with the UDF after parting ways with the LDF, expressed opposition to certain items on the meeting agenda, causing some embarrassment to the ruling front. Although Ashraf suggested utilising the existing plant at Brahmapuram for waste processing, the Corporation Secretary explained that the Kerala State Pollution Control Board and the courts had rejected this proposal. Also Read TuTr partners with IIT Madras for hyperloop IP developmentRajasthan government approves 3D GIS Models for city development

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