Kerala High Court Forms High-Level Panel To Address Kochi's Sewer Network And Sewage Treatment Issues

The order was passed by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji while hearing a public interest litigation filed by the Apartment Owners Apex Association, Kerala concerning the sewer network in the city of Kochi and associated issues regarding sewage treatment plants.

The Bench noted that the grievances brought forward by the Association were also reflected in a report submitted by the Amicus Curiae, P. Ramakrishnan.

While observing that the Association approached the court only after statutory authorities had already issued mandatory notices after being called upon by the court to act, the Bench nonetheless emphasized that the issues requires urgent consideration in the larger public interest.

Accordingly, the court directed the formation of a high-level study group comprising, the Principal Secretary, Local Self Government Department, the Chairperson of the State Pollution Control Board, the Managing Director of the Kerala Water Authority and Secretary of the Kochi Municipal Corporation to study the issues raised in writ petition and submit a report on the long term solutions.

The court further said that the study group has been constituted with the senior officers since the solution needs to be found within the framework of law. They have been directeded to submit a preliminary report, outlining the areas that need to be addressed within a period of four weeks.

The matter has been posted for further hearing on October 27.

Case Title: Apartment Owners Apex Association (Kerala) v State of Kerala and Others

Case No: WP(PIL) 124/ 2025

Counsel for Petitioner: Jacob Mathew Manalil, Priya Elizabeth Babu, Hrishikesh Jaysarman

Counsel for Respondents: Sujith Mathew Jose, T Naveen, V Tekchand (Sr. GP)

Amicus Curiae: P Ramakrishnan

Click Here To Read/ Download Interim Order