Kerala Board Issues Closure Notice

• Legal Framework:

  • Closure notice was issued to Alliance Marine Products under Section 32 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, which mandates action against activities leading to water pollution.

• Incident Overview:

  • On September 1, 2026, water in the Periyar River was observed to have turned white, developing a layer of frothy foam.
  • The Kerala State Pollution Control Board (PCB) and the Environment Surveillance Centre conducted inspections following reports from local residents.

• Findings:

  • PCB officials discovered unauthorised effluent discharge through stormwater outlet pipes and improper cleaning of vehicles used for transporting chicken waste with hydrogen peroxide, leading to violations of environmental norms.

• Company Response:

  • A senior representative from Alliance Marine Products countered allegations, asserting that a lean discharge was identified and claimed the white foam had been observed in the river prior to their operations. They invited independent verification of sample results from the river and their premises.

• Related Entities:

  • The PCB also sought explanations from Fertilizers and Chemicals Travancore Limited (FACT) regarding potential discharge contributing to river pollution, following earlier indications of a gel-like foam in the river that might be linked to industrial activities.

• Local Impact:

  • The frothy water was first reported by local residents near the Pathalam bund, leading to an investigation by environmental officials.

• Pollution Control:

  • The PCB's actions are part of ongoing efforts to uphold water quality standards and regulate industrial waste management in accordance with environmental protection laws.

This summary covers critical facts, legal references, and measures being taken by the Kerala State PCB following the pollution incident.