Charnkamal at 04:16, 5 February 2026

2026-02-05T04:16:15Z

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{{short description|Waste dumping yard in Kochi, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2023}}

'''Brahmapuram landfill''' is an overfilled waste dumping site located in the Indian city of [[Kochi]], [[Kerala]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-03-21 |title=Work on Brahmapuram waste plant to start in April |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/work-on-brahmapuram-waste-plant-to-start-in-april/articleshow/63395515.cms |access-date=2023-03-06 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> The Brahmapuram Solid Waste plant located here is owned and operated by the [[Kochi Municipal Corporation|Kochi Corporation]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-07-13 |title=Kochi looking for a new waste treatment plant |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kochi-looking-for-a-new-waste-treatment-plant/article35295045.ece |access-date=2023-03-06 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The site is a major source of [[Pollution|environmental pollution]], fire hazards, and public health and safety issues.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-06 |title=India city chokes on toxic haze from waste dump fire |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-64835273 |access-date=2023-03-06 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-03-04 |title=Fire at Kochi's Brahmapuram waste treatment plant has become an annual phenomenon |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/kochi-brahmapuram-waste-treatment-plant-fire-breakouts-an-annual-phenomenon/article66579717.ece |access-date=2023-03-06 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The Kochi city produces more than 600 tons of waste per day and nearly 100 ton of it is decomposed at Brahmapuram Solid Waste plant into organic manure.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-02-01 |title=Brahmapuram plant in run-down state |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/brahmapuram-plant-in-rundown-state/article6847150.ece |access-date=2023-03-06 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The plant which was inaugurated in 2008 to manage solid waste was eventually converted into a landfill.<ref>{{Cite web |title=5 days in, Brahmapuram blaze continues to choke Kochi |url=https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/environment/5-days-in-brahmapuram-blaze-continues-to-choke-kochi-88084 |access-date=2023-03-06 |website=www.downtoearth.org.in |language=en}}</ref> As per March 2023, there is an estimated volume of 5.5 lakh tonnes of waste spread over 110 acres at the site.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Daily |first=Keralakaumudi |title=Fire yet to subside in Brahmapuram, Kochi filled with smoke |url=https://keralakaumudi.com/en/news/news.php?id=1020729&u= |access-date=2023-03-06 |website=Keralakaumudi Daily |language=en}}</ref> On 2 March 2023, a [[Bhrahmapuram Fire|major fire]] burst out at Brahmapuram waste plant engulfing many parts of city in smoke containing toxic gas for many days.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Praveen |first=M. P. |date=2023-03-08 |title=Brahmapuram fire {{!}} People begin to lose patience as fresh bouts of smoke and smell hit many parts of city |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/brahmapuram-fire-people-lose-patience-plastic-smoke-and-smell-hit-city-parts/article66594760.ece |access-date=2023-03-08 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

==2023 Brahmapuram waste plant fire==
{{main|Bhrahmapuram Fire}}
On 2 March 2023, a major fire broke out at the Brahmapuram waste plant.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-05 |title=Toxic fumes continue to engulf Kochi nearly 3 days into fire at Brahmapuram waste plant |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/thiruvananthapuram/toxic-fumes-engulf-kochi-3-days-fire-brahmapuram-waste-plant-8480517/ |access-date=2023-03-06 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> After the fire, major parts of Kochi city was engulfed in smoke.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-03-02 |title=Major fire at Brahmapuram dumping yard |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/major-fire-at-brahmapuram-dumping-yard/article66572329.ece |access-date=2023-03-06 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The fire broke out in a swampy area behind the [[Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation|Kinfra Industrial Park]] and the smoke spread for kilometers across the city.<ref>{{Cite web |last=നെറ്റ്‌വർക്ക് |first=റിപ്പോർട്ടർ |date=2023-03-03 |title=ബ്രഹ്മപുരം തീപിടുത്തം; പുകയിൽ മൂടി കൊച്ചി, തീ അണക്കാൻ ശ്രമം തുടരുന്നു |url=https://www.reporterlive.com/kerala/brahmapuram-fire-smoke-at-kochi-106146 |access-date=2023-03-06 |website=www.reporterlive.com |language=ml}}</ref> Following the outbreak, the [[Kerala State Pollution Control Board]] slapped a fine of Rs 1.80 crore on Kochi corporation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Smoke from Kochi dumping ground fire hangs over the city, suffocating residents |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/environment/smoke-from-kochi-dumping-ground-fire-hangs-over-the-city-suffocating-residents-10202961.html |access-date=2023-03-06 |website=Moneycontrol |date=5 March 2023 |language=en}}</ref> On 6 March, the toxic elements in the atmosphere of Kochi rapidly increased to a dangerous level following the outburst of fire.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stay indoors; Residents urged to wear N95 masks as air quality hits new low |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/brahmapuram-fire-residents-urged-to-stay-indoors-wear-n95-masks-as-air-quality-hits-new-lows-1.8367285 |access-date=2023-03-06 |website=English.Mathrubhumi|date=6 March 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/03/07/india/india-bhramapuram-landfill-toxic-waste-fire-intl-hnk/index.html|title=One of India's trash mountains is on fire again and residents are choking on its toxic fumes|date=7 March 2023 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> Many residents and opposition parties alleged that the fire was man made and a private agency engaged for mining the waste in the landfill played a major role in creating it.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-09 |title=Brahmapuram fire: Residents gasp for air as Kochi reels amid inferno aftermath |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/brahmapuram-fire-residents-gasp-for-air-as-kochi-reels-amid-inferno-aftermath-101678357092531.html |access-date=2023-03-09 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref>

Within a week after the outburst of fire, the smoke spread across to nearby districts of [[Alappuzha district|Alappuzha]] and [[Kottayam district|Kottayam]]. The [[Kerala High Court|High Court of Kerala]] remarked that the people of Kochi were trapped in a gas chamber. The court also criticized the Kochi Corporation and the Pollution Control Board. The garbage in Kochi city piled up in the city after the garbage removal to Brahmapuram got stopped due to fire.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ഗ്യാസ് ചേംബറിലകപ്പെട്ട് ഒരു ജനത; കെ-റെയിലാണോ മാലിന്യ സംസ്കരണ പ്ലാന്റാണോ നമുക്കാവശ്യം? |url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/natives-commenting-about-brahmapuram-waste-plant-fire-1.8376072 |access-date=2023-03-09 |website=Mathrubhumi|date=9 March 2023 }}</ref> After 12 days of continuous operations, the fire was extinguished completely on 13 March.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kochi's Brahmapuram Plant Fire 'Extinguished' Completely; Air Quality Remains Critical |url=https://www.thedailyjagran.com/india/kochis-brahmapuram-plant-fire-extinguished-completely-air-quality-remains-critical-10068996 |access-date=2023-03-15 |website=English Jagran |date=14 March 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Landfills in india}}

{{coord|10.0000|N|76.3700|E|type:landmark_region:IN-KL|display=title}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bhalswa landfill}}
[[Category:Environmental issues in India]]
[[Category:Waste management in India]]
[[Category:Landfills in India]]

Bhrahmapuram landfill - Revision history

Charnkamal at 04:16, 5 February 2026