ETP fault delays full-scale operations at Kunnukuzhy slaughterhouse; Meeting on Thursday

T’puram: The faulty effluent treatment plant (ETP) at the modern slaughterhouse at Kunnukuzhy has emerged as the final hurdle to its full-scale operationalisation, with the city corporation convening a crucial meeting on Thursday to resolve the issue with the contractors involved in the project. Representatives of MR Farms, which currently holds the operation and maintenance contract, and Kerala Electrical and Allied Engineering Company (KEL), which executed the earlier work contract, are expected to attend the meeting at the corporation office.

The meeting, convened by the corporation’s health department wing, aims to arrive at a consensus on rectifying the defect and completing the pending work at the treatment plant. The corporation’s engineering wing had been inspecting the facility over the past week following allegations that the ETP was not functioning properly.

The inspection reportedly identified faults in the plant, raising questions about the completion of the work, and the steps required to make the facility fully operational. MR Farms has reportedly expressed willingness to undertake the rectification work and complete the remaining tasks, subject to an understanding with KEL regarding the defect identified in the system.

The corporation is seeking to facilitate an agreement between the two agencies so that the issue can be resolved without further delay. Corporation health standing committee chairperson M R Gopan said seven trial runs had been conducted at the slaughterhouse and that the other systems were functioning satisfactorily, with the ETP being the only component requiring attention.“The plan is to resolve the issue at the earliest, complete the remaining work and make the facility fully operational.

The inspection has identified certain issues, and the meeting will discuss how to address them,” Gopan said. The modern slaughterhouse project at Kunnukuzhy has been awaiting full-scale operations amid concerns over the treatment and disposal of wastewater generated during slaughtering.

The ETP is a crucial component of the facility, as it is intended to treat the wastewater before its discharge and ensure compliance with environmental requirements. The corporation hopes to reach an agreement at Thursday’s meeting and complete the rectification work within a short period.

If the issue is resolved as planned, the facility is expected to become fully operational by next month. Stay updated with the latest Thiruvananthapuram news.

Key quotes

• “The plan is to resolve the issue at the earliest, complete the remaining work and make the facility fully operational. The inspection has identified certain issues, and the meeting will discuss how to address them,”