Kerala Pollution Control Board Yet to Fix Compensation Over Kadambrayar River Pollution

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Kerala Pollution Control Board Yet to Fix Compensation Over Kadambrayar River Pollution

Kerala Pollution Control Board Yet to Fix Compensation Over Kadambrayar River Pollution

Ganesh Khatiwada 2026-05-07 06:16:00

Kathmandu/Ernakulam, May 7 - The Kerala State Pollution Control Board (PCB) has yet to implement a directive issued by India’s National Green Tribunal (NGT) regarding environmental compensation against entities responsible for polluting the Kadambrayar River in Ernakulam district, despite clear instructions issued earlier this year.
According to reports, the Southern Bench of the NGT, comprising Judicial Member Pushpa Sathyanarayana and Expert Member Prashant Gargava, had on February 19, 2026 ordered the PCB to assess and recover environmental compensation from polluters under the internationally recognized “polluter pays principle.” The tribunal also instructed the board to ensure effective implementation of corrective measures outlined by the Local Self-Government Department (LSGD) for restoring the polluted river system.
However, officials from the Ernakulam district office of the PCB stated that a final decision regarding the assessment and imposition of compensation is still pending. Earlier inspections conducted by authorities reportedly identified several industrial establishments, apartment complexes, hotels, and commercial buildings situated near the riverbanks as major contributors to pollution through the discharge of untreated wastewater into the waterbody.
Investigations further revealed that many of the violating entities lacked adequate wastewater treatment infrastructure, raising concerns over weak environmental compliance and monitoring mechanisms in rapidly urbanizing areas surrounding Kochi.
Senior officials indicated that clarity regarding the compensation framework is expected soon and that further action would be initiated in accordance with the tribunal’s directive. The amount of environmental compensation is expected to be calculated based on the quantity of waste generated and discharged by violators.
The NGT’s Southern Bench has now scheduled the matter for further compliance reporting on June 22, 2026, while observing that the PCB has not yet complied with its earlier order.
Meanwhile, the Local Self-Government Department recently instructed local authorities - including the Kochi Corporation, Thrikkakara Municipality, and the gram panchayats of Edathala, Kunnathunadu, and Kizhakkambalam - to impose penalties and initiate legal proceedings against polluting entities. These local bodies have also begun implementing restoration and remedial measures aimed at reviving the ecological health of the Kadambrayar River.
Environmental experts say the case highlights the growing pressure on urban rivers across South Asia due to rapid urbanization, weak wastewater management, and delayed enforcement of environmental regulations. They stress that timely implementation of tribunal directives and strict accountability mechanisms are crucial for restoring polluted freshwater ecosystems and safeguarding public health.
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