The Kochi municipal authorities have initiated the process of notifying hotels and restaurants that have yet to establish sewage treatment plants (STP). They have requested these establishments to complete the installation of STPs within a 72-hour window, with the possibility of facing penalties.
In response to this enforcement, certain dining establishments have incurred fines ranging from INR 25,000 to INR 50,000. This action is prompted by mounting apprehensions about urban flooding during the rainy season, primarily attributed to the obstruction of drainage systems and canals due to unauthorized waste disposal practices.
Kochi Restaurants:
The city encompasses over 600 hotels and dining establishments, and a substantial portion, nearly 60 percent of them, currently lack sewage treatment plants (STP). Up to this point, approximately 10 to 15 percent of these establishments have received notices.
Notably, Kochi includes some that have STPs in place but are not operating them correctly, leading to the direct discharge of wastewater, along with food waste, into the city’s drains and canals. Health officials from the municipal corporation have been conducting visits to these venues and issuing notifications based on the provisions outlined in Sections 337 and 340 (A) of the Kerala Municipalities Act, specifically targeting those that have not appropriately implemented STP systems.
Meanwhile, the Kerala Hotel and Restaurant Association (KHRA) convened an urgent meeting on Tuesday. During this gathering, it was resolved to schedule discussions with municipal officials on Wednesday.
Kochi News: The issue has garnered increased attention, especially following the Kerala High Court’s recent concern regarding the frequent instances of flooding in key areas of the city. Municipality representatives attributed the drain blockages, despite their prior cleaning efforts, to the accumulation of silt and the unregulated disposal of waste from hotels.
“It is a serious concern as many of the small and medium restaurants will face closing if these rules are implemented,” said KHRA district president T J Manoharan.
“To set up a STP you need an adequate area (which most restaurants lack) and the cost. This will not be viable for many restaurants which serve food to people at an affordable price. Also, restaurants that have installed STP have been asked to not release the treated water into the drains. Then where will we release the water?” said KHRA vice-president Azees Moosa.
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“We are in talks with Kochi corporation to reach an amicable solution”, added Moosa.
Meanwhile, corporation’s health standing committee chairman T K Ashraf said they are acting as per the instructions of the high court. “It is mandatory for all hotels and restaurants to have STPs”, Ashraf added.
