Brahmapuram landfill is an overfilled waste dumping site located in the Indian city of Kochi, Kerala.[1] The Brahmapuram Solid Waste plant located here is owned and operated by the Kochi Corporation.[2] The site is a major source of environmental pollution, fire hazards, and public health and safety issues.[3][4] The Kochi city produces more than 600 tons of waste per day and nearly 100 ton of it is decomposed at Brahmapuram Solid Waste plant into organic manure.[5] The plant which was inaugurated in 2008 to manage solid waste was eventually converted into a landfill.[6] As per March 2023, there is an estimated volume of 5.5 lakh tonnes of waste spread over 110 acres at the site.[7] On 2 March 2023, a major fire burst out at Brahmapuram waste plant engulfing many parts of city in smoke containing toxic gas for many days.[8]

2023 Brahmapuram waste plant fire

On 2 March 2023, a major fire broke out at the Brahmapuram waste plant.[9] After the fire, major parts of Kochi city was engulfed in smoke.[10] The fire broke out in a swampy area behind the Kinfra Industrial Park and the smoke spread for kilometers across the city.[11] Following the outbreak, the Kerala State Pollution Control Board slapped a fine of Rs 1.80 crore on Kochi corporation.[12] On 6 March, the toxic elements in the atmosphere of Kochi rapidly increased to a dangerous level following the outburst of fire.[13] [14] Many residents and opposition parties alleged that the fire was man made and a private agency engaged for mining the waste in the landfill played a major role in creating it.[15]

Within a week after the outburst of fire, the smoke spread across to nearby districts of Alappuzha and Kottayam. The High Court of Kerala remarked that the people of Kochi were trapped in a gas chamber. The court also criticized the Kochi Corporation and the Pollution Control Board. The garbage in Kochi city piled up in the city after the garbage removal to Brahmapuram got stopped due to fire.[16] After 12 days of continuous operations, the fire was extinguished completely on 13 March.[17]

References

  1. ↑ "Work on Brahmapuram waste plant to start in April". The Times of India. 21 March 2018. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  2. ↑ Correspondent, Special (13 July 2021). "Kochi looking for a new waste treatment plant". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  3. ↑ "India city chokes on toxic haze from waste dump fire". BBC News. 6 March 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  4. ↑ Bureau, The Hindu (4 March 2023). "Fire at Kochi's Brahmapuram waste treatment plant has become an annual phenomenon". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  5. ↑ "Brahmapuram plant in run-down state". The Hindu. 1 February 2015. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  6. ↑ "5 days in, Brahmapuram blaze continues to choke Kochi". www.downtoearth.org.in. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  7. ↑ Daily, Keralakaumudi. "Fire yet to subside in Brahmapuram, Kochi filled with smoke". Keralakaumudi Daily. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  8. ↑ Praveen, M. P. (8 March 2023). "Brahmapuram fire | People begin to lose patience as fresh bouts of smoke and smell hit many parts of city". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  9. ↑ "Toxic fumes continue to engulf Kochi nearly 3 days into fire at Brahmapuram waste plant". The Indian Express. 5 March 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  10. ↑ Bureau, The Hindu (2 March 2023). "Major fire at Brahmapuram dumping yard". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  11. ↑ നെറ്റ്‌വർക്ക്, റിപ്പോർട്ടർ (3 March 2023). "ബ്രഹ്മപുരം തീപിടുത്തം; പുകയിൽ മൂടി കൊച്ചി, തീ അണക്കാൻ ശ്രമം തുടരുന്നു". www.reporterlive.com (in Malayalam). Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  12. ↑ "Smoke from Kochi dumping ground fire hangs over the city, suffocating residents". Moneycontrol. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  13. ↑ "Stay indoors; Residents urged to wear N95 masks as air quality hits new low". English.Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  14. ↑ "One of India's trash mountains is on fire again and residents are choking on its toxic fumes". CNN.
  15. ↑ "Brahmapuram fire: Residents gasp for air as Kochi reels amid inferno aftermath". Hindustan Times. 9 March 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  16. ↑ "ഗ്യാസ് ചേംബറിലകപ്പെട്ട് ഒരു ജനത; കെ-റെയിലാണോ മാലിന്യ സംസ്കരണ പ്ലാന്റാണോ നമുക്കാവശ്യം?". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  17. ↑ "Kochi's Brahmapuram Plant Fire 'Extinguished' Completely; Air Quality Remains Critical". English Jagran. Retrieved 15 March 2023.

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