Ayyankuzhi land bought for waste plant after pollution fears

The government is directly buying land in Ayyankuzhi for a new waste processing plant. This comes after a fire at the BPCL-Kochi Refinery in July 2025 made the area unsafe for 30 families.
By Newsroom | Environment, Kerala |

DIRECT PURCHASE ENACTED FOR CONTAMINATED SITE

The government has decided to directly purchase land in Ayyankuzhi, a move intended to establish a facility for processing construction and demolition waste. This decision signals a shift in the government's approach, moving towards direct acquisition rather than other methods. The proposal for the facility has been formally brought up for discussion, according to officials. An earlier contemplation of a sanitary landfill for inert waste at the same location has been sidelined. The ultimate decision on the type of solid waste treatment project for the Ayyankuzhi site rests with the government.

LAND ACQUISITION PROPOSAL SUBMITTED

The district administration is set to submit a land acquisition proposal to the Kerala Solid Waste Management Programme (KSWMP). This proposal concerns the establishment of an integrated waste management plant in Ayyankuzhi. The move comes in response to persistent demands from locals who cite the area's unsuitability for habitation due to severe pollution.

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Govt. to directly purchase land in Ayyankuzhi for waste management project - 1

COMMUNITY DISPLACEMENT AND UNCERTAINTY

For nearly a year, around 30 families evacuated from Ayyankuzhi have remained displaced. They refuse to return to their homes, emphasizing the land's unfitness for habitation. This situation stems from an incident involving the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited-Kochi Refinery (BPCL-KR) campus fire in Ambalamugal on July 8, 2025. The affected families have been living in temporary accommodation, awaiting a resolution to their land acquisition demands.

BPCL-KR has previously voiced concerns regarding further land acquisition in the vicinity. The company argued that such acquisitions would not align with its operational needs and cited the 'Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act', which mandates that acquired land must serve its stated purpose.

The local demand for land acquisition underscores the deep-seated issues of pollution and its impact on residents' lives in the Ayyankuzhi area. The government's current action suggests a recognition of these concerns, albeit after a prolonged period of uncertainty for the affected families.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is the government buying land in Ayyankuzhi?
The government is directly purchasing land in Ayyankuzhi to build a facility for processing construction and demolition waste. This decision follows concerns about pollution in the area.
Q: Who is affected by this land purchase?
Around 30 families who were displaced from Ayyankuzhi due to pollution from a BPCL-Kochi Refinery fire on July 8, 2025, are directly affected. They have been living in temporary accommodation and refused to return home.
Q: What was the previous plan for Ayyankuzhi?
Previously, the government considered building a sanitary landfill for inert waste at the Ayyankuzhi site. However, this plan has been dropped in favor of the new waste processing facility.
Q: What is the current situation for the displaced families?
The 30 families remain displaced and are waiting for a resolution regarding their land. They refuse to return to Ayyankuzhi because they consider the land unfit for living due to severe pollution.
Q: What is the role of the Kerala Solid Waste Management Programme (KSWMP)?
The district administration will submit a land acquisition proposal to the KSWMP for the establishment of the integrated waste management plant in Ayyankuzhi. The KSWMP is involved in managing waste programs in Kerala.