Kochi Corporation to Scrap Subsidised Biomedical Waste Collection from August

The Kochi Corporation has decided to discontinue subsidised biomedical waste collection from households and transition to a non-subsidised system involving multiple agencies, likely from August. The decision follows widespread criticism of inflated bills, irregular collection, and differential rates charged by current service providers.

At present, the Corporation pays a subsidy of ₹28 per kilogram, while users pay ₹12 per kilogram. Councillors from all parties voiced strong objections during Monday’s Corporation council meeting regarding the alleged inefficiencies and financial burden of the existing system. Former health standing committee chairperson T.K. Asharaf noted that the subsidy had cost the Corporation ₹8.58 crore.

Mayor V.K. Minimol convened a meeting on Tuesday with representatives from Raidco Kerala Limited (which operates two incinerators with a combined capacity of three tonnes per day at Brahmapuram), two mobile app-based platforms—Aakri and Suchigo—and Kerala Enviro Infrastructure Limited (KEIL), which treats part of the biomedical waste collected within Corporation limits. The aim was to discuss the proposed shift to a non-subsidised system.

“All three agencies have been asked to submit proposals on the rates at which they can collect biomedical waste without subsidy before July 15. Subsidised collection will be restricted to limited categories such as palliative and bed-ridden patients, subject to certification by doctors,” the Mayor said.

The twin incinerators operated by Raidco are yet to reach full capacity, while KEIL has agreed to treat another three tonnes daily. “Raidco’s facility will soon be running at optimum capacity, with issues affecting one of the units to be resolved shortly,” Ms. Minimol added.

Councillors alleged that collection was erratic and often charged at rates exceeding the agreed ₹40 per kilogram. Health standing committee member Henry Austin expressed doubts about the reported daily collection of around 8.50 tonnes, questioning whether it included waste from outside Corporation limits. He argued that without the Corporation itself collecting and handing over waste to agencies, it would be impossible to accurately assess the quantity generated.

The Corporation had started subsidised collection of biomedical waste after disruption in service following the pandemic and a major fire breakout at Brahmapuram.