The Kochi Corporation is seeking a revised pact that would allow work to resume at the Brahmapuram biomedical plant

representative image | Photo credit: K. RAGESH

The Kochi Corporation has insisted on a new agreement with modified terms favorable to it as a precondition for resuming operations of the stalled biomedical waste treatment plant proposed by the Clean Kerala Company under Public Private Participation (PPP) model on 1 acre of the Corporation’s land at Brahmapuram.

The project, with a capacity of around 20 tonnes, remained on hold for about a month since the corporation issued the stop sign. The civic body is now demanding a new agreement with its secretary in place of the existing tripartite arrangement involving the state government, Suchitwa Mission and Clean Kerala Company. The stop memorandum was issued on the ground that the construction was started without the consent of the corporation.

“The foundation stone of the project was laid during the commissioning of the compressed biogas (CBG) plant at Brahmapuram earlier this year. But even then we made it clear that the construction should start only after the concerns of the corporation were resolved, which was not met. We reiterated our demand for an agreement directly with the corporation in a meeting with the local government minister,” Mayor VKmol said, once that happens, it will be withdrawn.

The officer concerned was asked to show cause for allowing the construction without the approval of the corporation.

In addition, the company insists on terms that are favorable to it. Reportedly, apart from Ernakulam, the project envisages processing biomedical waste from neighboring districts.

“We should have the power to decide which local authorities can send waste to the facility. The company must also receive a profit margin. More importantly, there should be a defined lease period after which the land will be returned to the company,” Ms Minimol said.

In a recent meeting with the minister in Thiruvananthapuram, the corporation also emphasized that biomedical waste generated within its limits should be prioritized in the upcoming facility.

Last month, the company decided to end the subsidized collection of biomedical waste from households and soon replace it with a multi-agency non-subsidized system. Currently, the civic body pays a subsidy of ₹28 per kg, while users pay ₹12 per kg. The move follows a council meeting where councilors across party lines slammed alleged inflated bills, irregular collection and disparate rates charged by agencies currently handling biomedical waste collection.

Published – 14 Jul 2026 14:53 IST