KOCHI : Nearly a year after the massive fire that broke out at the Brahmapuram waste dumping yard choked the city and neighbouring areas for 12 days, the Kochi Corporation has been accused of sitting over several key recommendations of the fire and rescue department to prevent similar accidents.
A report of the internal vigilance and intelligence wing of the department, submitted to the Ernakulam district collector, warns that the corporation’s lackadaisical approach may lead to another disaster. The water-spraying system at the waste dump is not yet functional and the roads surrounding the area, the only channels for fire engines to enter the yard in case of an emergency, are unfit for traffic, said the report, a copy of which is with the TNIE.
The hydrants and monitors at various locations of the plant are not functioning properly, the report, prepared after an on-site inspection, said, adding the electric pump installed near the power plant is in disuse. Though water tank has been constructed on the riverside, it doesn’t appear to be in use, it said.
The electric pump placed near the Kadambrayar, which flows near the Brahmapuram plant, is not working. “KSEB has been supplying the electricity to run the pump. However, even the lights at the plant are not functioning properly despite the availability of adequate electricity,” said the report. It also expressed apprehension over the operability of the CCTV installed at the plant.
What report says
Entrance to Brahmapuram plant unfit for traffic
Construction of roads to ensure smooth navigation of fire engines not implemented yet
Water tank construction at river side completed, but not functioning
Only one watch tower at the plant, which is not ideal
Hydrants and monitors at various places of the plant not working properly
Fire separation of waste dumps with water spraying system not done
'Kochi corporation has done everything to prevent fire outbreak’
“In the last few weeks, several small fire outbreaks were reported at the plant. Since the stationed fire and rescue officers and staff noticed them, they were extinguished at the initial stage itself. The Kochi corporation utterly failed to implement safety precautions. Chances are high that we will witness fire outbreaks similar to the one last year,” said a fire and rescue official on condition of anonymity.
The massive fire at the waste dump yard, spread over 70 acres, which started on March 1, 2023 lasted for 12 days. The landfill has been accumulating legacy waste of nearly six lakh tonnes with 390 tonnes of waste dumped per day. The district fire officer held inspections at the plant and submitted a report to the district collector and corporation.
Based on the report, the collector visited the plant March 28, 2023, and directed the corporation secretary to implement the safety measures. However, the corporation has not implemented any measures as per the directions issued.
The corporation’s health standing committee chairman T K Ashraf, when contacted, refuted the reports, claiming the corporation has done everything to prevent future fires. “These are merely allegations. Trucks can easily navigate through the heaps of waste. The water hydrants are also functional,” he said.
Leader of opposition in the corporation Antony Kureethara said the ruling front is the least worried about the safety of the public. “Last year’s fire was a major catastrophe. People are still facing the ill effects of the fire outbreak and the smoke that engulfed the city. It is sad to note that the ministerial-level intervention has also failed to yield the desired result,” said Kureethara.