The Kerala High Court questioned the poor enforcement of the plastic bottle ban at weddings and raised concerns over waste dumped by Vande Bharat trains, urging strict action and sustainable alternatives.
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KOCHI: The Kerala High Court raised concerns about the widespread use of plastic bottles, especially at marriage functions, and questioned why the State’s ban on such bottles was not being strictly enforced.
The case was being heard by a Division Bench of Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas and Justice P. Gopinath. It was a suo motu case, meaning the Court took it up on its own to address waste management problems in Kerala.
The Court examined a government report about banning plastic in hilly areas. It also discussed the overall problem of waste disposal in the State. In an earlier hearing, the Bench had suggested banning single-use plastic in hilly regions to prevent harm to the environment.
They referred to the example of Tamil Nadu, where the Madras High Court had successfully implemented a similar ban. The Court then directed the Kerala government to come up with a plan for enforcing this rule.
During the hearing, Special Secretary of the Local Self-Government Department (LSGD), Anupama TV IAS, presented a report on how waste is being managed. However, Justice Gopinath questioned how effectively the ban on small plastic water bottles was being enforced.
“For small bottles there is already a ban in place, how do we ensure that it is effectively enforced because we see small bottles in every function now. How do we implement this?”
The Court took the issue of small plastic water bottles at weddings very seriously and said such usage should be reduced.
In response, Anupama explained that gatherings with more than 100 people require a license from the local government, and the use of plastic water bottles smaller than 500 ml is already banned.
However, the Court was also informed that a review of enforcement across the State found more than 100 violations. This led the government to consider setting up an online system where people can report violations by uploading photos, which would then lead to fines.
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To strengthen enforcement, Anupama also mentioned that the State plans to increase the number of district-level enforcement squads to monitor these violations.
At this point, Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas suggested an alternative to plastic bottles.
“These small bottles are creating havoc and can easily have an alternative by using glass bottles,”
-he remarked.
The Court also addressed the issue of plastic waste created by Vande Bharat trains in Kerala. It was noted that plastic water bottles were being discarded along railway tracks.
The Court asked the Railways to clarify how they handle waste disposal and suggested that local authorities should issue notices to the Railways regarding waste left along the tracks.
“Local authorities should be issuing notices to the Railway to remove such wastes, they are bound to remove, they cannot have these wastes dumped in the railway tracks. Ensure that tracks are free of waste. As a bulk waste generator, you owe a duty to the public and to the legal system,”
-Justice Bechu told the counsel representing the Railways.
Another important issue raised by the Court was the lack of proper public sanitation facilities in Kerala. The Bench referred to Australia’s roadside urinals, which are made of stainless steel and use minimal water. It suggested that similar small, hygienic urinals should be built in Kerala.
The Court emphasized that these facilities are necessary for both men and women to ensure proper hygiene and waste disposal.
Finally, the Court decided to continue discussing these issues on March 28. It asked the government and Railways to provide responses to all the concerns raised.
Special Secretary Anupama TV IAS, representing the Local Self-Government Department, personally appeared before the Court.
CASE TITLE:
Suo Motu v State of Kerala & ors.
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