KOCHI: At a time when waste management plants are triggering protests across the state, a budget proposal on Brahmapuram might just be the game changer. As per the budget, the 100 acres allotted for the new Brahmapuram waste treatment plant is also to have a new industrial park.While many would flinch at the idea of having a modern industrial park with ultra-modern facilities and high tech professionals working alongside a waste treatment plant, Kochi Corporation has no doubts regarding the feasibility of the project. “The new waste treatment plant coming up at Brahmapuram will not be like the conventional treatment plants. The waste will not emit dust or smell as it completely covered up. Besides, the plant will need only a maximum of 20 acres of land,” said T K Ashraf, Standing Chairman of the Corporation Health Committee.Owing to the bitter experiences related to the waste treatment plant, the Brahmapuram residents have been opposing the proposal for a new plant. A 100-acre land was identified for the new plant in spite of the fact that the plant could have been housed in 20 acres. This was done only to assure locals.In this context, the Corporation hopes the promise of an industrial boom would bring a change in the mentality of the residents. “The Corporation had placed the proposal for an industrial park here so that the locals will not feel that their area was being compromised by the presence of a plant. The combination of an industrial unit alongside the waste treatment plant will also help the locals get over the idea of a conventional waste treatment plant that will compromise cleanliness and hygiene,” said Mayor Tony Chammany.However, the District Panchayat President, Eldose Kunnapilly said, “This is a welcome step. But more than this, a dialogue with the local people is needed. If the people are convinced about the fact that the area will not be polluted, then there won’t be any opposition. So instead of rushing things when locals are protesting, what one needs is a careful dialogue.”
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