Fri Jun 20 16:23:02 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing the information provided, formatted for readability and targeting a broad audience:
**Periyar River Polluters Fined Over ₹25 Lakh in Kerala Crackdown**
**KOCHI, June 20, 2025** – Authorities in Kalamassery, Aluva, and Eloor municipalities have levied hefty fines exceeding ₹25 lakh on businesses and individuals found illegally discharging untreated wastewater and dumping waste into the Periyar River. This crackdown is part of the ongoing implementation of the Periyar Action Plan, aimed at rejuvenating the heavily polluted river.
Kalamassery municipality led the charge, collecting a substantial ₹22.3 lakh in penalties for illegal sewage discharge into public drains that feed into the Periyar. The Aluva municipality imposed ₹3.4 lakh in fines after inspections uncovered illegal discharge outlets and waste dumping.
The fines include penalties for illegal waste dumping, illegal discharge of septage into the river. Short-term measures to impose penalty on violators had started in the 2020-21 fiscal.
The crackdown comes after criticism from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) regarding delays in implementing the Periyar Action Plan. The NGT’s Southern Bench had previously directed authorities to identify the causes of pollution and take immediate preventive measures, urging the government and relevant departments to actively participate in preventing further contamination of the river.
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