A Victory That Left the Wells Dry. Coca-Cola’s Plachimada Plant Closure

The village of Plachimada in Kerala may have succeeded in closing Coca-Cola’s bottling plant 15 years ago, but the fight for water continues. Despite the victory over the global corporation, the water crisis that began with the plant’s operations persists. Villagers, especially women, are still walking miles to fetch water, and many feel their fight has only just begun. 

Main Thesis:

• The Coca-Cola bottling plant closure did not solve Plachimada’s water crisis.
• Water scarcity and contamination continue to impact the lives of villagers.
• Promised compensation and relief have not been delivered.
• Activists and locals are fighting for justice and government accountability.

The Rise and Fall of Coca-Cola in Plachimada

The problems in Plachimada began in 1999 when Coca-Cola set up a massive bottling plant, drawing up to 2 million liters of groundwater per day. The extraction of water severely depleted the water table, leaving locals with little to no access to clean drinking water. The factory’s discharge of toxic waste into the soil added to the devastation, affecting the health and livelihood of many residents.

By 2004, after a powerful grassroots movement garnered global attention, Coca-Cola shut down its plant. However, the damage had already been done. Villagers like Kanniammal, who once had access to sufficient water, now trek long distances daily for basic water needs.

While the closure of the plant was hailed as a victory for people power, the aftereffects have haunted the village. Water levels remain dangerously low, and the soil contamination lingers. The people of Plachimada are still fighting for the compensation they were promised by the government and Coca-Cola.

Unkept Promises

Despite widespread support during the agitation, the promises made by political leaders and activists have yet to be fulfilled. The Kerala government introduced the Plachimada Coca-Cola Victims Relief and Compensation Bill in 2011, but the central government rejected it, citing conflicts with federal law. The bill aimed to compensate the villagers for the loss of their water resources, with a proposed Rs 216 crore as relief, but so far, no compensation has been paid.

Local activist Vilayodi Venugopal, a prominent figure in the anti-Coca-Cola movement, expresses his frustration: 

“Despite our relentless fight, the government has done little to hold the company accountable. Our struggle continues, but hope fades with each passing year.”

What Lies Ahead for Plachimada?

The villagers of Plachimada are still hopeful that their demands will be met, but many are also growing weary of the ongoing fight. Coca-Cola has denied any wrongdoing, and the Supreme Court has recorded the company’s statement that it does not intend to reopen the factory. With no compensation in sight and a deteriorating water situation, Plachimada remains a symbol of environmental exploitation.