But the promise made in the previous budget to install a refuse derived fuel (RDF) unit at Brahmapuram remains unfulfilled.

By setting up an RDF plant plastic waste can be recovered and separated into light plastic and heavy plastic.

Light plastic is further processed into plastic film while heavy plastic is processed into RDF.

With the State Government recently allotting Rs 80 crore to the Kochi Corporation to acquire the remaining 45.30 acres of land for expanding the Brahmapuram plant, there are indications that the civic body will be keen to carry out the project this year.

Currently the vacant plots at the Brahmapuram plant are used for storing plastic and non-biodegradable waste generated in the city.

It is impossible to treat plastic without an RDF plant.

And plastic waste has started piling up at the site.

Though the Corporation had promised that stocking of non-degradable waste would be carried out without causing any inconvenience to the public, the recent fire breakout at Brahmapuram proves that it has failed to take any precautionary measure at the plant.

Nearly 15 locals were hospitalised after inhaling hazardous smoke that emanated from burning plastic materials.

The authorities say that they are taking steps for the speedy completion of the RDF plant.

At present the Brahmapuram plant is being operated on 63.96 acres. With the State Government providing funds for acquiring the rest of the land, the Corporation can now use the land to set up RDF and plastic recycling plants.

Funds are not a problem for the Corporation. But it is yet to be seen whether these plants will become operational this year itself.