The progress of the implementation of the sewage treatment plant (STP) projects to check the illegal discharge of untreated wastewater into the Vembanad Lake in Ernakulam has been hit owing to various hurdles.
The State government had informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that five community-level projects were under way in Ernakulam district as part of the rejuvenation of Vembanad Lake, which has been affected by indiscriminate sewage pollution.
It included four STPs and one faecal sludge treatment plant initiated by the Kochi Corporation, according to a report dated July 14, 2025, filed by the Chief Secretary of the State before the Principal Bench of the tribunal in the case pertaining to indiscriminate sewage pollution in Vembanad and Ashtamudi lakes. The projects were among the nine major community-level initiatives under implementation in the districts through which the lakes flow.
The co-treatment works at the five million litres per day (MLD) STP in Elamkulam has been temporarily halted due to choking. The Kerala Water Authority had initiated steps to rectify the issue. The progress has been hampered by rain, but the work is expected to be completed by October 31, 2025, according to the report.
The STP at Ambedkar Colony, Division 16, Edakochi South, was initially expected to be completed by June 30, 2025. However, with only around 62% physical progress achieved, the project may take additional time. Work has been hindered by rain and completion is now expected by December 31, 2025.
The Corporation was awaiting technical sanction for the second STP and the associated network at Elamkulam. The project was expected to be completed by December 31, 2026.
The STP with a capacity to treat 105 kilolitres per day at the Rajiv Gandhi Avas Yojana housing project in Fort Kochi has achieved only 7% physical progress. Work has been temporarily halted as per the direction of urban local body officials to facilitate the construction of a fire-fighting tank. The project was expected to be completed by November 30, 2025.
Technical sanction was expected to be issued for the 1 MLD faecal sludge treatment plant at Brahmapuram. The design for the plant will be vetted by Cochin University of Science and Technology. The civic body will finalise the technical sanction based on the design, the report said.
Published – July 22, 2025 12:45 am IST
