Waste from other areas creates headache for Kochi corporation

Kochi: Kochi corporation limits are becoming waste dumping yards for agencies collecting waste. As part of Malinya Muktham Navakeralam project, govt has asked all local bodies to remove waste from streets and public places on a war footing. Many private agencies collect waste from apartment complexes and commercial units in the suburbs of city and dump it into the city, especially on NH bypass.

In the latest incident, waste from an apartment complex in Thrikkakara municipality was dumped in Ponnurunni. "This is happening at a time when we are making all-out efforts to keep our division waste-free. We have our own facility to treat the waste generated in our division. We also produce biomanure from the waste. A few days ago, commercial sales of the biomanure we produce was started," said Ponnurunni division councillor Dibin Dileep. "We received several accolades for the efforts we put in to keep our division clean," he added. "Many divisions of the corporation located on NH bypass stretch face similar issues," he said.

Service road near Vyttila flyover is an area where waste is being dumped regularly. "There would be beds, cots, chairs, etc. It all comes from other places. The waste would catch fire frequently, and there were instances in which firefighters were pressed into service to put out the fire. We suspect that those dumping the waste set it on fire," said Vyttila councillor Sunitha Dixon. "For the past fortnight, there haven't been any cases of fire as summer showers are there. On the eve of Easter also, I, along with corporation officials and workers, were engaged in cleaning the area," she said.

Mayor M Anilkumar said that he will convene a meeting with district collector and city police commissioner to find a solution to the issue. "Dumping of waste collected from other local bodies' areas in corporation limits has become a headache for us. Corporation health wing used to carry out special drives. But police patrolling too should be intensified," mayor said.