Thu Jan 01 19:35:17 UTC 2026: Okay, here’s a summary of the text followed by a rewritten news article.
Summary:
The article discusses the impending establishment of a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to oversee the construction of an effluent treatment plant aimed at rejuvenating the polluted Kuzhikandam creek in Eloor, India. This project is part of a long-delayed initiative to remediate toxic dumping sites identified by the Ministry of Environment. The central government has agreed to provide land from Hindustan Insecticides Limited. A key hurdle is finalizing the funding structure, as the original National Clean Energy Fund (NCEF) has been discontinued. The plan requires a combination of contributions from polluting industries based on the “polluter pays principle,” the State government, and potentially the central government. The SPV will finalize the detailed project report and set a timeline for the project’s execution, including the tendering process.
News Article:
Effluent Treatment Plant to Revive Polluted Kuzhikandam Creek
KOCHI, January 2, 2026 – A major step towards cleaning up the heavily polluted Kuzhikandam creek in Eloor is expected to materialize soon with the formation of a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to oversee the construction of a new effluent treatment plant. The project aims to rejuvenate the creek, which was identified as one of the nation’s most toxic dumping sites by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change back in 2011.
After years of delays, the central government has agreed to allocate approximately 75 cents of land belonging to Hindustan Insecticides Limited in Eloor for the plant’s construction. Previous investigations by the Central Pollution Control Board revealed significant contamination of the creek with heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants.
The project’s funding structure remains a key challenge. The original source of funding, the National Clean Energy Fund (NCEF), has been discontinued. Current proposals suggest a funding model where 60% of the total project cost is shared between the polluting industries (based on the “polluter pays principle”) and the State government. A final decision has to be made regarding cost obligations, and the center might contribute the remaining 40%.
“The establishment of the SPV is a crucial step in moving forward with this long-awaited project,” said an official familiar with the project. “The SPV will be responsible for finalizing the detailed project report, establishing a timeline for construction, and managing the tendering process.”
The project is expected to significantly improve the environmental health of the Eloor region and address the legacy of industrial pollution that has impacted the Kuzhikandam creek and surrounding areas.
First Piper 