Brahmapuram stimulates more CBG projects in Kerala – Minister MB Rajesh

Inspired by the compressed biogas (CBG) plant in Brahmapuram which is soon to be operationalised, similar CBG facilities will be established at five more locations across the state of Kerala. Currently, Brahmapuram houses the only major centralized solid waste treatment plant in Kerala.

Kerala’s Local Self-Government Minister MB Rajesh informed at a press conference in Kochi that the CBG plants will come up in Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Kollam, Kannur, and Changanassery that would enhance scientific waste management. Work on the Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode plants is set to begin in April made the announcement.

BPCL Kochi Refinery will oversee the construction of these plants. The Brahmapuram CBG plant is expected to be completed by the end of March, after which work will commence on the Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode plants. Discussions are also underway for setting up the CBG plants in Kannur, Kollam, and Changanassery.

The Minister views the Brahmapuram fire incident as a catalyst for its vision of a Malinya Muktha Nava Keralam (Waste-Free New Kerala). Significant progress has already been made, transforming former waste dumping sites such as Brahmapuram (Kochi), Laloor (Thrissur), Njelianparamba (Kozhikode), Kureepuzha (Kollam), and the Guruvayur yard.

According to MB Rajesh, of the 59 locations in Kerala that once had massive garbage heaps, 24 have been fully cleared and reclaimed. The Clean-up efforts are in their final stages at 10 more locations, including Brahmapuram. Within a year, the state aims to eliminate all large garbage heaps.

As the waste-free campaign enters its final phase, the government is intensifying efforts to meet its goals by March 30. Over the next two months, an extensive awareness drive will be launched to curb illegal waste dumping. Additionally, inspections will be ramped up, and strict action will be taken against violators. These initiatives will be carried out in coordination with multiple departments, the minister added.

Moreover, to further the waste management in the southern state, Kerala State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) Chairman Justice J B Koshy recently made the inclusion of biogas plants in flat construction permits as ‘mandatory.’ A year ago, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) mandated the Kerala Government to adopt the Goa model for solid waste management and provided specific guidelines for the implementation.