Kerala HC Orders Report On Health Impact Of Brahmapuram Waste Management Site On Local Residents

The Kerala High Court recently directed the Additional Chief Secretary and the Ernakulam District Collector to conduct a socio-economic study in the Brahmapuram area.

The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of the unauthorized handling of solid waste in Brahmapuram on the health of the local residents.

The court’s decision came in response to a plea filed by several residents’ associations in the Brahmapuram area. These associations sought court intervention to prevent waste from contaminating water bodies during the monsoon season by June 2023.

“Socio-economic impact study of Bramhapuram is undertaken, and a report is filed on the impact on the population from the unauthorised handling of the municipal solid waste site in Bramhapuram. The report gives the impact on the health of the inhabitants, referring to the first circle – 500-metre radius, second circle – 2-kilometre radius, and third circle – 5-kilometre radius of human habitation. The study can be on random samples to be decided by the District Administration,” the order stated.

Furthermore, the bench ordered the Additional Chief Secretary to immediately instruct the District Collector/Secretary of the Cochin Municipal Corporation to establish temporary sheds at Brahmapuram. The objective is to prevent waste from seeping into the soil and water bodies during the upcoming monsoon season.

The court assured the petitioners that any difficulties faced by the local residents of Brahmapuram due to the waste dumping yard should be brought to its attention and immediate steps will be taken to address their grievances.

“The locals of Bramhapuram, if are denied any other benefits despite suffering so much, definitely can bring it to the notice of the Court, and the Court will ask the Additional Chief Secretary, the District Collector and the Corporation to provide the benefits on par with similarly situated individuals residing in other localities of Cochin” the order further stated.