The 150‑tonne compressed biogas plant at Brahmapuram has been a source of dispute between the Kochi Corporation and BPCL‑KR, the operator, more than seven months after its commissioning. The corporation says frequent shutdowns disrupt waste disposal and that the plant has not reached its optimum capacity. BPCL‑KR argues that the recurring breakdowns are caused by the poor quality of the waste supplied by the corporation.
BPCL‑KR maintains that poor‑quality feedstock frequently clogs the machinery, forcing manual clearance of the system. The operator pointed out that the waste sometimes contains carcasses and that it shares registration numbers of vehicles bringing mixed waste so the corporation can trace the source. The corporation, on the other hand, has admitted that improper segregation at source remains a grave concern.
Mayor V.K. Minimol said the agreement allowed 6‑8% rejects of the total feed and noted the need for a new plant to bridge the shortfall in treatment capacity. She also said that Haritha Karma Sena members and junior health inspectors would be held accountable for mixed waste. The proposal for a new 150‑tonne plant was approved on August 14 amid protests from the opposition Left Democratic Front.
The corporation currently has no facility to process the large volume of rejects, prompting plans to establish a 50‑tonne compost plant and negotiations with Bhumi Green Energy to handle the plastic fraction. LDF parliamentary leader V.A. Sreejith accused the UDF‑led council of discrediting the CBG plant to benefit private parties. He said the council’s request for a high‑level meeting with the chief minister has not yet been acted upon, while private projects are being promoted under the pretext of the plant’s operational problems.
