Kerala High Court on Wednesday ordered the Kochi Corporation to ensure that apartment complexes in Marine drive area in the heart of the city have effluent plants.
A division bench of the court comprising Chief Justice S Manikumar and Justice AM Shaffique issued the order while considering a contempt of court petition filed by Renjith G Thampi.
In the petition it is alleged that though the court had issued half-a-dozen orders within four months on the issue, the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) didn't implement the orders. This reveals willful negligence on the part of GDCA and the civic body, says the petition.
The court had also appointed advocate Liju V Stephen as amicus curie on the issue. The amicus curie was also not satisfied with GCDA's reply. In its report submitted on October 10 it showed that the court's orders were not implemented, the counsel said. The petition was submitted through senior counsel Jaju Babu.
The counsel submitted that waste accumulated on the pathway of Marine Drive was not removed and that effluent treatment plant was not set up.
K Anand, counsel for the civic body submitted that the accumulated waste would be removed on Thursday.
The court however ordered the civic body to ensure the establishment of effluent treatment plant by residents of Marine Drive and to see that no waste water is let into the channel., reports Times of India.
The petitioner sought contempt action against GCDA and corporation 'for the authorities had shown defiance and disrespect towards proceedings in the court’.
According to the petition mandatory directives had been issued in the presence of GCDA and corporation officials in the court room.
On October 3, following a statement filed by the GCDA that it had implemented the court's order by taking action, the court had ordered a surprise check.
In the inspection it was found that the claims of GCDA were inaccurate.