Key Highlights
- The site was included in the national programme after investigations by the Central Pollution Control Board revealed huge deposits of heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants in the creek.
- Investigations had also revealed that 24.5 hectares of soil and waterbodies at four locations in Eloor were contaminated with pesticides and heavy metals.
- Board officials pointed out that clarity had to evolve on the funding part as funds under the NCEF had lapsed after the Centre shelved the scheme.
- The government had earlier decided that 60% of the total estimate had to be shared between the polluting industries based on ‘polluter pays principle’ and the State government, while the Centre would provide the remaining 40%.
- The government will also have to take a call on the dues incurred by the industrial units along the Eloor-Edayar stretch responsible for the pollution of the Periyar towards the remediation cost, they said.
