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Stoppage of plant operations resented

KOCHI: The Kochi Corporation will issue a letter to the Andhra Pradesh Technology Development Corporation (APTDC), which set up the Brahmapuram waste treatment plant, expressing its displeasure over the closing down of the plant on Wednesday.

The decision was taken at the meeting of the steering committee of the Corporation which met on Thursday.

The APTDC cannot unilaterally close down the plant and such an act goes against the spirit of the contract between the two agencies. The Corporation has passed the bills cleared by the FACT Engineering and Design Organisation (FEDO), which is the consultant of the Corporation. A few bills, which were wrongly submitted, had been withheld. Another bill seeking advance payment was rejected as there was no provision for the Corporation to make advance payments, it was pointed out at the meeting.

The Corporation officials also reported that the APTDC had to complete some major components of the plant including the construction of a leachate treatment plant and internal fencing and green belt. The meeting also decided to issue a letter to the FEDO directing it to prepare a list of works that have to be completed at the plant site and also a time schedule for its implementation.

The meeting felt that the consultant needs to strictly monitor the works that are implemented by the APTDC. It is also the responsibility of the consultant to make sure that all documents related to the plant, including the guarantee cards and backup information, are handed over to the Corporation, it was pointed out. The steering committee has also decided that the facts regarding the plant and related issues should be clarified to the general public.

The counsel representing the Corporation in the Kerala High Court also explained to the Steering Committee the situation in which the court had made some sharp comments against the civic body.

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