Three-Tier Committee With Scientific Experts To Probe Brahmapuram Waste Fire: Kerala CM

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said, "A vigilance inquiry will also be conducted into the cause of the fire and proceedings of the plant right from starting time of its inception."

Kerala CM said that no serious health issues were experienced by residents due to the fire. ( Image Source :ANI file )

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced a special three-tier committee with scientific experts to probe the waste dump yard fire at Brahmapuram in Kochi. 

In the Assembly on Wednesday, CM Vijayan as per ANI said, "A Special Investigation Team of the state police will investigate the case registered related to Brahmapuram fire. A vigilance inquiry will also be conducted into the cause of the fire and proceedings of the plant right starting the time of its inception."

The CM said that no serious health issues were experienced by residents due to the fire.

On Tuesday, Kerala government said it would entrust an expert panel to study the health issues being faced by local residents in the aftermath of the recent fire at the waste treatment plant in Brahmapuram in Kochi.

Health Minister Veena George said the committee would study the short- and long-term health issues being suffered by the people after the incident.

A decision was taken to appoint an expert panel of the health department which will submit a comprehensive report in this regard, she told reporters here. For this, discussions were held with various experts within and outside the state, she added.

When reporters pointed out the complaint of a death reported following smoke inhalation, George said a death audit would be conducted in this connection.

Information of as many as 1,576 people has been collected so far as part of the health survey, being carried out by the department in the areas where the air is polluted due to the incident, she said.

Among the total surveyed people, 13 were pregnant women, 10 bed-ridden patients and 501 people suffering from other ailments, she said.

Detailing various steps being taken up by the health department to address emergency needs, the minister said a medical specialty response centre began its operations at the family health centre at Kakkanad in Ernakulam district.

As many as six mobile units also began their operations in the district, and so far, 544 people have been served through the units, she added.