Keralam Pollution Control Board asks Kochi Corporation to stop vehicle washing and dumping near Kadambrayar near Brahmapuram

View of Kadambrayar River (File) | Photo credit: THULASI KAKAT

Inspections by the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) revealed that vehicles used to collect and transport food waste were being washed at the Kochi Corporation dumping ground in Brahmapuram, near the banks of the Kadambrayar river.

The board also found that a non-renewable portion of food waste, separated during sorting, was piled near the Sector A area where bio-mining of old waste was completed. Both the activities were detected near the retaining wall built between the landfill and Kadambrayar to minimize the possibility of seepage and waste materials entering the river.

The checks were carried out as part of the remedial measures initiated by the authorities to deal with the pollution of the water body. The Brahmapuram Kadambrayar stretch is among the 32 polluted river stretches identified by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in the state.

Board officials said they have asked the Kochi Corporation authorities to stop vehicle washing and indiscriminate dumping of food scraps in the area as these activities could lead to accumulation of contaminated sewage. Due to the location’s proximity to the river, there is a high risk of contaminated leachate entering the water course.

The civic body has been asked to make arrangements for collection and disposal of contaminated leachate generated in the area. There should be no further dumping of waste in the area reclaimed from biomining, officials said.

The company initiated corrective measures to eliminate the deficiencies brought to the attention of the board of directors. Mayor VK Minimol said that a space will be reserved for washing vehicles involved in collecting and transporting food waste to the site. The agency in charge of operation and maintenance of vehicles has been directed to set up facilities to collect all runoff from the designated area as per norms, she said.

The mayor said the agency has identified land in Kalamassery where vehicles can park. However, the vehicles needed to be properly washed before being parked in the designated place, she said.

Published – 13 Oct 2026 13:06 IST