The State government has informed the Kerala High Court that it has issued directions to install sewage treatment plants (STPs) at 71 apartment complexes in Kochi by February 28, 2026.
Among the 71 apartments, 57 have submitted affidavits to the Pollution Control Board (PCB) that STPs would be installed, while affidavits are awaited from the rest of the 14 apartment complexes, the Local Self-Government department submitted before the High Court. Until then, they can use the Kochi Corporation’s septic tank desludging facility.
The High Court had initiated suo motu action in this regard, while the Apartment Owners Apex Association (Kerala) had filed a public interest litigation (PIL) regarding the city’s sewer network. Subsequently, the court had constituted a high-level study group to examine the sewer network and also sought a preliminary report on it.
On its part, the PCB had warned of severing power supply to the apartment complexes and also issued closure notices to those that continued to violate the mandatory rule to have STPs. The PCB submitted that follow-up action was being taken to obtain affidavits from the rest of the 14 apartment complexes.
The High Court was informed that projects worth ₹1,620 crore were being readied or would be implemented over the next three to five years. It is thus essential that the apartments install their own STPs, said the report by the study group. In addition, a new STP worth ₹185 crore, having five MLD capacity and co-treatment facilities, is proposed at Elamkulam under AMRUT 2.0. Its construction work has already been awarded, and it is expected to be commissioned by 2028.
The High Court had sought steps to identify the pollution sources of Thevara-Perandoor and Edappally canals and to initiate remedial action.
Published – October 28, 2025 11:32 pm IST
