STP for Kuzhikandam Thodu remediation: HC slams Centre, state for indecision

Kochi: High court has pulled up the central and state govts for allegedly engaging in a blame game over the establishment of a sewage treatment plant (STP) for the remediation of Kuzhikandam Thodu at Eloor, a tributary of Periyar River.A bench of Justices Devan Ramachandran and M B Snehalatha was considering a batch of petitions concerning the mass fish deaths in Periyar caused by pollution on May 20, 2024. Expressing exasperation at the manner in which both govt authorities were handling the transfer of the property from Hindustan Insecticides Ltd (HIL) to the Kerala state pollution control board (PCB) for establishing an STP, HC observed that the lives of millions are at stake and that it cannot wait for a catastrophe to occur. HC also noted that while HIL stated that it is ready to hand over the property as authorised by the Govt of India, it also said that the modalities for the same had to be provided by the PCB. The PCB, on the other hand, submitted that it had not been furnished with specific modalities by the Govt of India or HIL. However, the state govt took the stand that such suggestions had been made and were available in its report dated Jan 14, 2026.The court questioned why the stakeholders did not appear to understand the urgency of the matter. If they had, they would have taken additional steps at every stage to ensure that the construction of the STP commenced at the earliest, HC said. It further directed that the environment department special secretary, PCB chairperson and Rohit Sehgal, the interim resolution professional (IRP) representing HIL, shall meet and formulate the modalities for the transfer of property to establish the STP. A report of the meeting shall be placed on record on Feb 19.HC also reminded that the direction was only with regard to Kuzhikandam Thodu and that the larger issue concerning Periyar River is still pending, as it continues to vex the court.