PCB Delays Environmental Compensation for Kadambrayar Pollution Violators Amid Growing Concerns

The Kerala State Pollution Control Board (PCB) has yet to comply with a directive from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) concerning the establishment of environmental compensation for polluters of the Kadambrayar River in Ernakulam. An order from the Southern Bench of the tribunal, issued on February 19, 2026, mandated the PCB to evaluate compensation to be levied against violators while ensuring adherence to the action taken report from the Local Self-Government department (LSGD) addressing the pollution issues in the river.

Despite previous inspections indicating that various industrial units, hotels, and commercial facilities have contributed to the issue by discharging untreated water, PCB officials noted that discussions on fixing the environmental compensation remain unresolved. The inspections revealed that many of these errant units lack sufficient infrastructure to manage wastewater effectively, complicating the PCB’s ability to assess the environmental impact accurately. Clarity on compensation measures is anticipated, with the PCB affirming their intent to act in alignment with the tribunal directives.

The Southern Bench has scheduled a compliance report for June 22, 2026, emphasizing that the PCB must act on the February order. The compensation will adhere to the ‘polluter pays principle,’ calculated based on the amount of waste produced by those found culpable. Local bodies, including Kochi Corporation and various grama panchayats, have been instructed by the LSGD to enforce penalties and pursue further legal action against violators, reflecting a collective effort to restore the river to its previous ecological state.