NGT rejects Kerala PCB's Kadambrayar report, calls it incomplete, orders fresh filing

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has rejected the Kerala State Pollution Control Board's (KSPCB) latest report on measures to curb pollution in the Kadambrayar River in Ernakulam, stating that it is “incomplete and not in compliance” with the tribunal's earlier direction to assess environmental compensation payable by violators.

The Southern Bench, comprising Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana and Expert Member Prashant Gargava, observed that none of the details required from the board were available in the report. “We expect the Member Secretary to verify the report before it is filed, at least when the matter is posted for reporting compliance of directions,” the Bench said while expressing displeasure over the manner in which the report was submitted.

The Kadambrayar River is among the 32 polluted river stretches or locations identified in Kerala by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in its report 'Polluted River Stretches for Restoration of Water Quality, 2025'. The tribunal took suo motu cognisance of a news report titled 'No respite from faecal contamination in Kadambrayar river in Ernakulam district' and recommended remedial action.

Earlier, the NGT had directed the State Pollution Control Board to examine the action taken report filed by the Department of Local Self-Government on the restoration of the river. The board was also asked to assess environmental compensation based on the 'polluter pays principle'.

In its report filed on June 19, 2026, the board stated that it had inspected the compliance status of local bodies situated near the banks of the Kadambrayar River between May 25 and June 3, 2026. The inspections covered Edathala grama panchayat, Thrikkakkara municipality, Kunnathunadu grama panchayat, Kizhakkambalam grama panchayat, and Kochi Corporation.

The report mentioned that Thrikkakkara municipality had imposed fines totalling ₹26,590 between March 2024 and August 2024 on those found dumping garbage into water bodies. It also noted that CCTV facilities were not installed at vulnerable bridge locations or river stretches in Kizhakkambalam grama panchayat for monitoring waste dumping.

Regarding Kochi Corporation, the board informed the tribunal that a survey of waste discharge sources into the Kadambrayar River had been completed. As part of remedial measures, a sewage treatment plant with a capacity of 100 kilolitres per day (KLD) had been installed at the Brahmapuram waste plant.

However, the NGT Bench observed that the report merely stated that the panchayat, municipality, or corporation would furnish documents later. “The report should be verifying compliance, not at the directions of the NGT, but by the Kerala State Pollution Control Board itself,” the Bench noted.

The tribunal directed the board to file a more comprehensive and compliant report by September 11, 2026. The next hearing in the matter is expected to take place after the submission of the revised report.