PCB, customs to begin 'detailed examination' of containers

Kochi, Oct 17 (UNI) The Kerala Pollution Control Board (PCB) and the customs will begin a 'detailed examination' of three containers of US waste imported by a company here, after a preliminary check found objectionable and prohibited materials in it.

Customs Commissioner D D Ingty told UNI here today that the containers, which were transported to the Container Freight Station at Pettah about two weeks ago, were found to contain municipal waste during a random check by the customs officials. The three containers consisted of about 60 tonnes of waste.

''We cannot allow our country to be used as a dumping ground for the municipal waste of other countries,'' Mr Ingty said.

The consignment, imported from New York by Kochin Kadalas, a paper factory in Ambalamugal near here, was supposed to consist of waste paper only.

While the import of waste paper, including plastic waste, for recycling was not prohibited, import of municipal waste, garbage and certain grades of oil were banned and the party importing such materials could be proceeded against under the Customs Act.

However, no case had been registered or seizures made so far. Any further action would be decided only after the detailed examination was over and it would take some time as the waste was hydraulically pressed down, Mr Ingty said.

Last year, about 15 containers of waste were seized and sent back from Cochin port, the Customs Commissioner said.

UNI