Fresh Cut plant gets nod to resume operations in Kozhikode, but on strict terms

Kozhikode: Kozhikode district administration has granted permission for resumption of the Fresh Cut poultry waste treatment plant at Kattipara, which had remained shut since last week following violent protests against the alleged pollution from the plant. The decision was taken at a meeting of the district level facilitation and monitoring committee (DLFMC), chaired by district collector Snehil Kumar Singh, based on a report submitted by representatives of the pollution control board (PCB) and Suchitwa Mission after inspection the facility. As per the new conditions, the plant's daily waste processing capacity will be reduced from 25 tonnes to 20 tonnes. To curb foul odour, operations will be suspended between 6pm and midnight. Bringing decayed or old poultry waste into the plant has been completely banned and only fresh waste will be processed. The authorities must be given full details of all vehicles transporting waste to the facility. The proper functioning of the Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) must be closely monitored, with water samples from the ETP tested weekly at NIT-C. To further address odour-related complaints, a scientific study will be carried out in collaboration with CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram, and remedial measures will be implemented based on its findings. Representatives of PCB and Suchitwa Mission will strictly monitor the plant's operations. The collector warned that any lapse in adhering to the conditions would invite strong action against the company. The meeting, held at the collector's chamber, was attended by Rural SP K E Baiju, Suchitwa Mission district coordinator E T Rakesh, PCB executive engineer V V Rameena, LSGD deputy director Baiju Jose, NIT-C assistant professor G Praveen Kumar, food safety officer G S Arjun, and representatives of Fresh Cut Organics Ltd.