Thiruvananthapuram: Waste menace haunts Chalai

BY: Kripa MS
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Unauthorized waste dumping on the premises of Thiruvananthapuram Development Authority (TRIDA) complex at Erumakuzhi area has left the residents worried about the possible spread of diseases.
Currently, the bio-waste collected from the Chalai market and residential areas is being processed in Thumboormuzhi aerobic bin.The corporation has assigned an agency for collecting the waste from each shop in a timely manner where vendors have to pay Rs 100 per sack. But when the bins are filled, the rest of the waste gets dumped in nearby areas.
“Most of the areas inside the market are filled with waste. The vendors without licence are selling their products on footpaths and they are leaving their waste in the market or in the canal. Meanwhile, the agency is also not collecting fruits like oranges. So, vendors may not have any other option but to leave the waste in public places,” said Sudheer, a vegetable vendor.
The blockage of sewage network for Smart City work also leads to sewage filling the residential areas. Slaughterhouse waste, fish waste, plastic and sewage also make it hell for the people here.
According to Nisha P J, a resident of Chalai, if the waste heaps are not cleaned before the rain, it will affect smooth water flow and sewage will enter the houses and will cause diseases.
Chalai ward Councillor Simi Jyothish said the problem could be resolved only if the authority takes strict action against those who dump the waste. A team led by the councillor had cleaned the TRIDA premises one month ago and people dumped waste in the area on the same day though the compound has a CCTV camera.
“Around 30 workers are collecting the wastes directly from 1,000 houses on a monthly payment,” said health inspector of Chalai circle K Ganeshkumar.