Curation Team
KOCHI: With several apartment complexes in Kochi failing to install sewage treatment plants (STPs) within deadline set by pollution control board (PCB), Consortium of Flats and Villas Owners Association, Kerala, (COFVOAK) has decided to seek the state govt’s immediate intervention. They aim to ensure that steps are taken to utilise the existing STPs in the city to their full capacity. At present, only 10% of the capacity of these plants is being used.
Recently, the PCB served notices to 71 apartment complexes in the city to construct their own STP. However, the majority of these complexes failed to meet the deadline due to a lack of adequate space. Last week, KSEB also issued notices to these apartments, warning of power cuts if they fail to set up STPs. To overcome this challenge, some of the apartment complexes are planning to convert their swimming pools into STPs.
Residents suffer even as the govt’s major project to have STPs in different parts of the city, as part of the integrated urban regeneration and water transport system (IURWTS) project, lies in limbo. If implemented, it would cater to the needs of all the apartments in the city within two to three years, COFVOAK representatives said.
Meanwhile, they have convened a meeting of the office bearers of the owners’ associations of the 71 apartment complexes to which the PCB has sent notices. “We will be conducting the online meeting on Monday. We will chalk out further plans at the meeting,” said Thomas Kadavan, treasurer, COFVOAK. “Most flats face space constraints. As most of these apartments were constructed before 2005, setting up of own STPs was not mandatory. Now, an apartment complex in Panampilly Nagar is planning to convert their swimming pool into an STP,” he added.
“As part of the IURWTS, STPs are being planned in different parts of the city. So, if we construct our own now, the STPs being constructed as part of IURWTS will go underutilised. This will be a wastage of public money. Hence, our plan is to approach govt to expedite the STP projects mooted by it. Until then, we can transport the sewage or slurry from our units by trucks to the existing STPs in the city like the one in Elamkulam or Marine Drive.”
“Moreover, a new STP constructed by corporation is all set to commence operations at Brahmapuram. If the PCB gives a list of tanker trucks which transport sewage waste, we can utilise such trucks to transport the waste from our units to these STPs. What is needed is that the govt should expedite these projects and submit an affidavit before the court that such a mega project is being implemented and the issues can be sorted out once those projects materialise,” Kadavan said.
Meanwhile, T J Vinod, MLA, has sought the intervention of the govt in this regard. “Most of the apartment complexes face space constraints. So, we have taken up the issue with industries minister P Rajeeve. Proactive measures should be taken by the govt in this regard. The minister has promised to intervene in the matter,” Vinod said.
