Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Thursday instructed the State government and local bodies to actively inform the public about the dedicated WhatsApp facility through which citizens can report illegal waste dumping anywhere in the State. A Division Bench of Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas and Justice Gopinath P, constituted specially to oversee Kerala’s waste management following the Brahmapuram fire, issued the directive during the hearing of a suo motu case.

When the matter was taken up, Special Secretary of the Local Self-Government Department, Anupama TV, informed the Bench that a complaint system was already in place. She explained that the WhatsApp number 9446700800 allows citizens to send photos, short videos, or text messages, and automatically shares their GPS location with the relevant local body for swift action.

Taking note of this submission, the Court directed the government and local bodies to widely publicise the facility so the public is aware of and can use it.

During the hearing, the Bench also referred to a newspaper report published on October 26, 2025, showing a canal near the KSRTC bus stand in Ernakulam clogged with plastic waste. Although there was disagreement between the Railways and Cochin Corporation about responsibility for clearing the waste, the Court held that the Corporation should handle the clean-up.

The major directives of the interim order are as follows:

• The Cochin Corporation Secretary to clear the blocked canal within two weeks.
• Removal of garbage along the Kochi–Panvel Highway between the BOT bridge and Alexander Parambithara bridge.
• Clearing of accumulated waste under the railway overbridge on Mannamthuruthichira Road near Kochukadavanthra.

The Corporation must file a report before the next hearing.

The Special Secretary informed the Court that she had received information that the waste mentioned in the newspaper article had already been cleared, and she would verify it. The Court, however, urged her to issue instructions to all local bodies, not only the Cochin Corporation, to remove waste consistently.

At the previous hearing, the Bench had suggested using part of the ₹22 crore fine (later clarified as ₹11 crore) collected by the State to run a social media awareness campaign on responsible waste disposal. The Special Secretary stated that ₹5.8 crore had already been spent on IEC activities between April and November, and ₹15 crore had been allocated for programmes such as the Green Protocol.

The Court remarked that a social media “reel campaign” would not require significant funds and noted that major public figures might participate pro bono. The Special Secretary agreed to contact more celebrities for the initiative. The case will be heard next on November 27.

(With Live Law inputs)