Kerala State Pollution Control Board report to the NGT on pollution in Perandoor, Edappally canals, Ernakulam, Kerala, 20/03/2023
Tribunal on its own motion Suo Motu based on the news item in The Hindu E-Paper, Edition dt. 28.01.2021, “Faecal contamination high in Perandoor, Edappally Canals” Vs The Principal Secretary to the Govt of Kerala & Others dated 20/03/2023.
Kerala State Pollution Control Board in its report stated that the SPCB has taken steps to identify the industries and establishments located along the banks of the canals and along the bank of the drains leading to the canal. 167 apartments/ restaurants are so far identified as having either no valid consent from the SPCB/ no sewage treatment plant / non-functional sewage treatment plant. Notice under section 33A of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 has been issued to those 167 apartments/ restaurants.
The SPCB has issued a Show Cause Notice to Kochi Corporation "to show reasons for not levying environmental compensation for the failure of preventing the pollutants being discharged in water bodies and failure to implement waste management rules".
Railway station at Ernakulam Junction is identified as one of the major contributors of pollution in the Perandoor canal. Though Integrated Consent to Operate was issued to the railway station at Ernakulam Junction valid up to March 31, 2023 with a condition to set the sewage treatment plant - STP is not yet provided and also the area behind the loco shed situated in the South Railway station is contaminated with oil.