PCB issues show-cause notice to CMRL

The Kerala State Pollution Control Board (PCB) has issued a show-cause notice to Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) in the Edayar industrial area, seeking an explanation on why the consent to operate issued to it shall not be revoked under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.

The notice dated June 17, 2026 was issued by the Environmental Surveillance Centre of the board at Eloor after inspections by board officials on June 8 found that thick smoke was emanating from the calciner stack, and a pungent odour was noticed from the premises of the unit. A black smoke was observed emanating from the roaster stacks during inspection, and a delay pond was not provided near the river (Periyar) in one of the stormwater drains. The incinerator provided was not yet dismantled (despite a previous direction), and it was fully dumped with scraps including plastic bags.

The stack monitoring carried out by the board on December 4, 2025 had revealed that the concentration of particulate matter was 18,128 mg/Nm3 (normal cubic metre) against the prescribed limit of 250 mg/Nm3, and the concentration of carbon monoxide was 4,540 mg/Nm3 against the prescribed limit of 175 mg/Nm3. The results indicated that the existing air pollution control devices were inadequate to achieve compliance with the prescribed norms, it said.

The board had issued a notice to the company on January 3, 2026 ordering the immediate dismantling of the incinerator to prevent any future burning of waste. The company authorities submitted a reply saying that the incinerator was not being used for burning of plastic or any other waste, and that it was being used solely for the burning of tree and coconut leaves.

On the notice issued by the board on June 17, the company authorities said on Monday that they would respond after studying it.