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Kochi P&T Apartment owners issue ultimatum threatening to lay siege to GCDA office over persistent leakage
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Cracks and bulging seen on the overhead water tank at the P&T Apartment complex in Mundamveli, Kochi. (File) | The P&T Apartment Owners Association issued the ultimatum to the GCDA Secretary on Tuesday (May 19, 2026). Residents have been protesting against the persistent leakage since 78 families moved in in January 2024. They have also raised concerns about cracks and an alleged tilt in the buildings, issues that have largely gone unaddressed. A resident points to leakage stains on the walls of her flat at the P&T Apartment complex in Mundamveli, Kochi. (File) | We have had enough waiting for the benevolence of the authorities to resolve our hardships,” said Abhilash P. Parameswaran, president of the P&T Apartment Owners Association.Bathroom leaksAfter much delay, a pilot project was launched in April this year to plug bathroom leaks, as recommended by IIT Madras, which was appointed as a consultant to address structural flaws. Two coats of a leak-proof solution were applied to the floor of one apartment bathroom, which was then left flooded for about 10 days to test its effectiveness. “While it was found effective, residents protested against applying it to all the bathrooms at one go. Instead, they insisted that it be tried on a select few more to further convince them. We are now preparing an estimate along those lines,” said engineering sources with the GCDA.Meanwhile, fibre plastering of the exterior of the twin towers, originally planned to plug leakage and estimated to cost ₹28 lakh, has been dropped. “The IIT Madras shot down the proposal and instead recommended another methodology focussing on joints, using a solution having leakage-prevention quality. However, residents opposed its implementation and insisted that the IIT Madras representatives convince them in a meeting. We have initiated file proceedings and preparation of an estimate, though implementation will depend on the outcome of such a meeting,” said sources.Work on a proposed truss, complete with solar panels, funded through the local MLA’s development allocation, has also made little progress. An IIT Madras assessment report found that certain structural works did not conform to the Indian Standard Code IS 800:2007 governing steel constructions, and recommended strengthening to support the roof truss and solar panels. The report further warned that continuous exposure to moisture could lead to progressive corrosion and eventual loss of serviceability unless immediate waterproofing and corrosion-control measures were undertaken. Published - May 19, 2026 04:57 pm IST
Kerala Water Authority (KWA)’s comprehensive sewage treatment system planned for Kochi Corporation is awaiting clearance from the new government.The mega project, a major component of the Integrated Urban Regeneration and Water Transport System’s (IURWTS) canal rejuvenation project, involves setting up two high-capacity Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs). The revised project is currently awaiting administrative sanction and financial approval.The two STPs, with a combined capacity of 105 MLD, have been designed keeping in mind the projected population requirements for 2050, according to KWA sources. Along with Kochi Corporation, the sewage scheme will also cater to neighbouring local bodies, including Kalamassery, Thripunithura, and Thrikkakara municipalities.“The STPs are a major component of the canal rejuvenation project. It was found that these canals were highly polluted, and if they continued to remain in this state, it would pose a major environmental and health concern. In order to rejuvenate the canals, it is necessary to address the sewage inflow, which includes grey water and septage, and a comprehensive sewage network is the only solution,” said a KWA source. The official added that illegal dumping of sewage into canals could be prevented by setting up a sewerage network in the city.“Sewage generation for the entire Kochi Corporation and parts of Kalamassery and Thrikkakara will be nearly 140 MLD. Of this, less than 5% is treated properly. Nearly 70% to 80% of the septage is discharged into canals. It is therefore crucial to develop a sewerage system,” the official added.The Edappally Canal (11.23 km), Thevara-Perandoor Canal (11.15 km), Chilavanoor Canal (9.88 km), Thevara Canal (1.405 km), and Market Canal (0.66 km) are included in the project.Of the two STPs, one will be set up at Elamkulam on KWA’s 13-acre land and will have a capacity of 55 MLD. The other will be set up at Muttar on a three-acre plot acquired by Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) and will have an installed capacity of 50 MLD.The project, which was accorded administrative sanction in May last year, had to be resubmitted after the project estimate was revised. The project estimate was revised to ₹1,700 crore from ₹1,386 crore.KMRL is the special purpose vehicle (SPV) of the IURWTS project, and KWA is the implementing agency of the sewerage component. Out of the 759 km envisaged under the Kochi Sewerage Master Plan, 478 km of sewerage network is included in the sewerage scheme under the IURWTS project.About 73% of the population in Kochi Municipal Corporation is expected to benefit from the project, while 11% in Kalamassery municipality, 15% in Thrikkakara municipality, and 1% in Thripunithura municipality are also expected to benefit. Published - May 19, 2026 01:26 am IST
Praja Arogya Vedika (PAV), affiliated to Jan Swasthya Abhiyan, submitted a representation to Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare J.P. Nadda on Monday (May 11, 2026) urging the Central government to take immediate precautionary measures in view of international concerns relating to hantavirus infection and severe respiratory complications such as Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS).In the first week of May, hantavirus outbreak was reported on an expedition cruise ship, where three people died and at least five others were infected.In the representation, PAV expressed concern over reports and alerts issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO) regarding the HPS, which has reportedly shown mortality rates of around 30% to 40% in severe cases.The PAV stated that although the present situation does not warrant panic, India must not ignore the painful lessons of the Covid-19 pandemic, when shortages of hospital beds, oxygen, ventilators, medicines, and healthcare personnel caused immense suffering and led to the loss of lakhs of lives across the country.The organisation urged the Union government to proactively strengthen public healthcare preparedness before any public health emergency arises. PAV demanded strengthening of disease surveillance systems and timely scientific advisories and treatment guidelines from Indian Council of Medical Research.The organisation further stressed the need for public awareness programmes involving civil society organisations and health movements, along with strengthening airport and international traveller health surveillance systems. Published - May 11, 2026 06:58 pm IST
The Kochi Port authorities are maintaining heightened vigilance following deaths linked to hantavirus infection aboard a Dutch cruise ship. Though no formal alert has been issued, standard operating procedures for infectious diseases remain in place, according to port sources.The move comes amid communication from the World Health Organisation to member nations, urging vigilance and basic precautionary measures for ships arriving from affected regions.“There is no cause for alarm. The hantavirus infections have so far been restricted to the vessel and are therefore contained. Only a rare strain of the virus has the potential for human-to-human transmission. Moreover, the transmissibility of the virus is nowhere close to that of COVID-19,” sources at the Kochi port said. They added that no national-level guidelines or advisories had been received so far.The outbreak was reported on the expedition cruise ship MV Hondius, where three deaths have been reported. The infection is linked to the Andes virus strain of hantavirus. Hantaviruses are zoonotic viruses carried by rodents.“There is no specific treatment available, and only supportive medical care can be provided. The virus does not spread as rapidly or easily as COVID-19. Human-to-human transmission occurs only through close contact. One of the major challenges in diagnosing hantavirus infection is that its symptoms resemble those of several other viral infections. In addition, the severity and nature of the disease vary depending on the virus strain and geographical location,” the source said.Port authorities said continued surveillance and health monitoring of passengers and crew arriving at the port would be carried out. A risk-based approach is currently being followed, with the disease categorised as low risk.“Every ship arriving at the port is required to submit a mandatory health declaration, which provides information on any symptoms among passengers or crew. If anyone onboard shows symptoms suspected to be linked to hantavirus infection, appropriate measures such as isolation, quarantine, testing and monitoring will be initiated,” the source added. Published - May 10, 2026 09:46 pm IST
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