Kochi Mayor Accused Of CSR Project Misuse
A political dispute has erupted in Kochi after a legislator alleged that the city’s mayor showcased an under-construction compressed biogas (CBG) facility as a government accomplishment to influence voters ahead of the municipal elections. The incident has prompted a complaint to the Election Commission, raising questions about accountability in the use of sustainability projects during election cycles.
The CBG plant at Brahmapuram, funded entirely through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions from a major public sector energy firm, is slated to convert municipal waste into gas once operational. Despite the project still awaiting its formal launch, the mayor’s recent visit was broadcast across news channels with statements linking the plant to the efficiency of the current civic administration. The legislator contends that this public presentation was a deliberate attempt to sway public sentiment and has called it a direct breach of the model code of conduct. Officials familiar with the matter noted that while visits to project sites are not unusual, “drawing political mileage from a CSR-funded project raises serious ethical concerns, particularly when citizens are yet to benefit from it”. Election observers say such claims blur the line between governance and campaigning, especially when green infrastructure becomes a battlefield for political branding rather than service delivery.
Urban policy experts add that India’s growing shift to climate-friendly municipal services has also opened space for governments to leverage sustainability projects for electoral advantage. “Green infrastructure often carries emotional weight because it promises cleaner neighbourhoods and better public health,” said an urban environmental analyst. “When leadership tries to claim credit for projects funded externally, it risks eroding public trust in climate-focused development.” Sources engaged in civic administration stress that CSR investments play a vital role in improving municipal infrastructure, especially in smaller city budgets. However, they caution that the public must not be misled into believing that CSR-funded facilities represent budgetary achievements of a ruling body. Transparency, they argue, is essential for citizens to evaluate governance performance fairly.
For Kochi residents, the CBG project is particularly significant, given the city’s history with waste management challenges and the need for cleaner, decentralised waste-to-energy solutions. Civil society groups say the controversy could overshadow the long-term sustainability potential of the facility, which is expected to support a low-carbon urban future and reduce the environmental burden on neighbourhoods. The Election Commission is reviewing the complaint and examining video evidence reportedly circulated across media channels. Its decision is likely to set a precedent on how CSR-funded urban sustainability projects can be referenced during election periods. As Kochi prepares for the civic polls, residents are hoping the political dispute does not delay essential climate-friendly infrastructure. Transparent progress updates and non-partisan communication may be crucial if the city wants to retain public confidence in projects that promise cleaner, more equitable and future-ready urban living.
Kochi Mayor Accused Of CSR Project Misuse
- Advertisment -
