THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Operations at the integrated plastic waste management facility at Muttathara — one of the largest centres handling non-biodegradable waste in the capital — have been severely affected due to a prolonged dispute over ‘nokkukooli’ for the past six months.
The movement of waste to cement factories by Clean Kerala Company Ltd (CKCL) was suspended after headload workers’ unions demanded ‘nokkukooli’ (Gawking charge) for loading and unloading activities at the facility.
The private service provider contracted by CKCL approached the High Court and recently secured a favourable order. “The headload workers demanded Rs 50,000 as ‘nokkukooli’. When we refused to pay, they threatened to block our vehicles.
We were forced to suspend operations and seek legal intervention. The issue has persisted for the past six months, even after the local body elections,” said the private service provider engaged in waste management.
Operations came to a standstill after headload workers affiliated with CITU, INTUC and BMS insisted on nokkukooli. Sources said nearly 300 tonnes of plastic waste has accumulated at the facility, disrupting the waste management network in the capital. Officials said that manual handling of waste is not feasible at the unit.
“It is a fully mechanised facility. Each bailed bundle weighs around 800 kg and is handled using forklifts. On average, 25 tonnes of plastic waste was transported daily to cement factories,” the service provider said.
Established in 2019, the integrated facility processes plastic waste collected by Haritha Karma Sena members. It is equipped with advanced systems for segregation and includes a plastic shredding and bailing unit.
“We resumed waste movement on Monday, and it will take another 13 to 15 days to clear the accumulated stock,” the service provider added. The High Court disposed of the petition with directions to the police to intervene in case of any law and order issues.
The court also directed that headload workers and their associates must not obstruct the functioning of the facility. The order will remain in force for three months.