Kochi residents living in over 70 apartment complexes facing power disconnection for failing to install sewage treatment plants (STPs) have received temporary reprieve, following a Kerala High Court directive. The court ordered the state pollution control board to allow more time to those willing to comply, pausing the electricity cut-off notices that threatened over 1,500 households.
The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) had earlier issued disconnection warnings to these residential buildings after they were flagged by the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) for not installing STPs as mandated. The move caused significant unrest among residents, many of whom said they were unaware of the requirements or had begun the process but needed more time. The High Court, while hearing a suo motu petition concerning the pollution of the Thevara-Perandoor Canal, noted the severity of environmental degradation but also acknowledged the practical difficulties faced by homeowners. It directed KSPCB to provide a reasonable timeline for compliance, provided the apartment owners submitted a formal undertaking expressing genuine intent to install STPs.
The court’s direction marks a significant shift in balancing regulatory enforcement with the realities of urban housing infrastructure. Legal experts noted that while environmental protection remains paramount, it is equally important to safeguard the interests of citizens who invested in properties based on occupancy certificates issued at a time when STP regulations were either unclear or non-existent. Following the court’s order, the Consortium of Flat and Villa Owners Association has stepped in to coordinate action across the affected complexes. Residents are being urged to file individual undertakings with the pollution board, indicating their specific timelines for STP implementation. The Association is aiming to have these documents submitted ahead of the next court hearing scheduled for September 11.
A senior official from the KSPCB confirmed that undertakings would be accepted from the affected apartments and that extension of deadlines would be considered based on feasibility. While only a handful of complexes had formally approached the court, the ruling will apply to all 71 that received disconnection warnings. Criticism was also directed at civic and utility bodies for what many called a high-handed approach. Public representatives highlighted the absence of an approved vendor list for STPs and the lack of structured guidance from authorities. They emphasised that some buildings had already begun the process, which typically takes nearly a year to complete.
Urban policy observers argue that while enforcing environmental norms is essential, agencies must also work collaboratively with residents to ensure smooth transitions toward compliance. With this latest court intervention, Kochi now has a unique opportunity to showcase how regulatory intent and citizen engagement can align to create a cleaner, more sustainable city ecosystem.
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Kochi High Court Halts Power Disconnection Over Apartment STP Compliance Issues