The land acquisition proposal for the proposed comprehensive waste treatment plant at Ayyankuzhi in Vadavucode-Puthencruz panchayat will be handed over to the Kerala State Waste Management Project (KSWMP) at the earliest, District Collector G. Priyanka has said.

She made the statement at a meeting with the families of Ayyankuzhi on Tuesday. The proposed site lies sandwiched between public sector units Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Hindustan Organic Chemicals Limited (HOCL). The acquisition of the land has long been a demand of the families residing there, who contend that it is unfit for habitation.

The Collector directed officials to extend all assistance to the affected families until the acquisition was finalised. She asked HOCL to provide academic support to children from the affected families and BPCL to supply food kits. Over 40 families have remained relocated from the site since the fire outbreak in the 220 kV underground electric cables passing through the BPCL campus on July 8, 2025.

Deputy Collector (Disaster Management) G. Sreekumar, Vadavucode-Puthencruz panchayat president Reji Thomas, the ward member, and officials of BPCL and HOCL attended the meeting held in the Collector’s chamber.