Thrissur is making significant strides in sustainable waste management, setting a commendable example for others. The Kerala State Pollution Control Board recently awarded its prestigious first prize to the 360 KLD Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at the Thrissur Corporation General Hospital. This exciting announcement was made on September 24, 2025.
Mayor M.K. Varghese reflected on the hospital’s journey, noting that when the State government transferred its management to the Thrissur Corporation in 2016, modern wastewater treatment facilities were non-existent, with most sewage directly flowing into canals. Since then, the hospital has undergone remarkable transformations, from establishing a cath lab for cardiac care to implementing various projects that have garnered statewide attention.
Recognizing the critical need for effective wastewater recycling, the Corporation Council greenlit a plan in 2015 to build a state-of-the-art STP. Today, this plant efficiently processes sewage from the hospital’s toilets, bathrooms, and canteen. The treated water is then recycled for essential purposes like flushing and gardening. Equipped with advanced ultra-filtration technology, the facility boasts the capacity to treat up to 360 kilolitres of wastewater daily.
The STP, constructed under the AMRUT scheme with an investment of ₹4.5 crore, features a comprehensive treatment process. It includes oil traps, anoxic tanks for nitrogen reduction, aeration enhanced by MBBR (Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor) media for microbial treatment, and a final disinfection stage using chlorine and ultra-filtration membranes. This meticulous process ensures the output is clear, odor-free, and reusable water, all while preventing pollution and unpleasant odors in the surrounding environment.
This achievement comes at a pivotal moment for Thrissur, as the city actively redefines its urban landscape. A notable initiative includes the transformation of Lalooor, once notoriously known as the city’s garbage dump, into a modern international sports complex named in honor of football icon I.M. Vijayan.
The formal presentation of this esteemed award will take place on September 27. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will confer the prize at the AURA 2K25 – 50 Years of Environmental Stewardship international environmental conclave, hosted at the ADLUX International Convention Centre in Karukutty, as part of the Pollution Control Board’s Golden Jubilee celebrations.
Awarded in the category for hospitals with 100–250 beds, this recognition celebrates a socially impactful project delivering significant public benefits. The Mayor emphasized that the Thrissur Corporation General Hospital’s innovative program is more than just an engineering triumph; it serves as a vital learning model for sustainable urban development as Thrissur advances towards its metropolitan future.