'Affects Millions, Can't Be Delayed': Kerala High Court Directs Expeditious Steps To Set Up Treatment Plant To Clean Periyar River

The division bench comprising Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice M B Snehalatha was hearing a batch of petitions concerning pollution in the river, particularly Kuzhikandam thodu- its tributary.

The Court examined the minutes of a meeting held pursuant to its earlier directions regarding the establishment of an Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) in the Kuzhikandam Thodu region and the pollution issues affecting the Periyar River.

According to the minutes placed before the Court, the Government of Kerala, the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), and the company MELCOM have been directed to inform the Government of India about the availability of land from the said company for setting up the ETP. The Government of India has also sought clarification from the State Government on whether 70 cents of land owned by the Fertilizers and Chemicals Travancore Ltd. (FACT) could be made available for the project.

The Court recorded that the Government of Kerala has agreed to respond to the letter of the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Government of India, dated October 22, 2025, after assessing land availability. The Bench directed all concerned parties to exchange their responses within seven days and to produce all related correspondence before the Court on the next posting date.

While refraining from detailed observations at this stage, the Court emphasized the urgency of coordinated action between the authorities.

The Bench noted that Kuzhikandam Thodu, one of the tributaries of Periyar river, has become a hazardous zone, raising the possibility of continuous pollution of the Periyar River.

“While being on the question of remediation Kuzhikandam thodu - which admittedly is a hazardous zone now - we are also concerned that the river Periyar may be polluted consistently and constantly because of it.” the Court remarked.

The Court directed the competent authority of the Kerala Pollution Control Board to conduct a proper scientific enquiry into the matter and to propose scientifically sound methods to abate and prevent pollution, if contamination is found. This report must also be submitted by the next posting date.

The Court further reiterated its earlier observations on the need to constitute an independent authority with full powers over the management and protection of the Periyar River, noting that despite previous orders, nothing seems to have materialized.

The Senior Government Pleader, S. Kannan, submitted that the Government was still in the process of thinking about the Court's earlier suggestions. The bench highlighted the importance of an independent authority and observed:

“As we have always been saying, this is not an issue which can be delayed since it deals with the life and sustenance of millions of people who survive on the waters of the river. We are without doubt we require to be told without any further delay as to how the authorities of Periyar River will be constituted and given life.”

The matter has been adjourned to November 14, for further consideration.

Case Title - Periyar Malineekarana Virudha Samithi v State of Kerala and connected Matters

Case No - WP(C) 996/ 2012 and Connected Matters

Counsel for Petitioners - K K Ashkar, Ashira Mohamed Ashrof, Mathew A Kuzhalnadan, Kuriakose Varghese, K R Arun Krishnan, Sudeep Aravind Panicker, V Shyamohan, K M George, Chithra P George, Mathews P George, Sneha Harisankar, Sureshkumar M, A V Jojo, B M Jeevan Raj, A X Varghese, Harisankar S, Sherry J Thomas, Joemon Antony, Antony Nilton Remelo, Renish Raveendran, Thaman Bai, P J Unnikrishnan, Ligish Xavier, Gokul Devis, Riyan Augustine Shaji, Amal M

Counsel for Respondents - N Ajith, Geetha P Menon, R Suraj Kumar, P B Subramnyan, Dinesh R Shenoy, R V Rahul, Lijin Thamban, George Cherian, Lal K Joseph, T Naveen, K T Thomas, K M George, C Dinesh, M Ajay, M Gopikrishnan Nambiar, K John Mathai, Jason Manavalan, Kuryan Thomas, Paulose C Abraham, Raja Kannan, Pranoy Harilal, Tesin Mathew, K S Arun Kumar, Babu Joseph Kuruvathazha, Archana K S, Mohammed Shafi K, Noel Elias, P M Johny, Justine Jacob, Prakash M P, T K Ajithkumar,

Amicus Curiae - Ananthakrishnan A Kartha