The demand for immediate rollout of scientific measures to tackle frequent fires at the waste dump at Brahmapuram seems to be growing loud.
“The chances of more fire breakouts in the summer are high considering the fact that the site is mature with methane gas and it could explode anytime,” warned V.N. Sivasankara Pillai, former Director of the School of Environmental Studies, Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat).
Suggesting that a series of pipes could be embedded within the landfill to collect the gas, Dr. Pillai said that conventional burning of plastic materials would take a toll on the health of people because of the dioxin emissions that are carcinogenic. “A scientific design has to be in place soon. The site has to be revamped and flaring systems should be in place. The excess gas has to be burned. Landfill gas management remains a key part of any such operation. The failure to carry out a fire risk assessment at the site has led to the present situation,” he said.
Polluting Kadambrayar
Stating that the waste dump at Brahmapuram has turned the nearby Kadambrayar into one of the worst polluted river spots across the country, Dr. Pillai recalled that the Brahmapuram site was originally a wetland that was later used for paddy cultivation.
Sustainable solution
Architect S. Gopakumar of the Better Kochi Response Group wondered why the Kochi Corporation was not using plastic waste for road construction.
Many local bodies are using it for road works as it’s a sustainable solution to the issue of plastic refuse, he said.
NGT directives
District Collector K. Mohammed Y. Safirulla said the Kochi Corporation will have to follow the directives issued by the regional monitoring committee of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on the proper maintenance and operation of the Brahmapuram facility. They include appointing additional security personnel, setting up CCTVs, fire retardants, breaking down big heaps of waste into small ones and establishing street lights.