No effective waste disposal even after Chikungunya:HC told

Kochi, Oct 17 (UNI) Dumping of waste is going on in the Alappuzha and Ernakulam districts by the authorities with scant regard to protective measures against pollution of ground and surface water and the air, 'Advocate Commissioner' P B Sahasranaman informed the Kerala high court today.

Mr Sahasranaman, who was directed by the court to file a report regarding the waste disposal in these areas, said that there was no dumping site in the Cherthala municipality for the disposal of solid waste. Also, there was no slaughter house in the Alappuzha municipality as contemplated under the Municipality Act, 1994.

The report further says that the municipal authorities in Alappuzha and Cherthala and the Cochin Corporation had not set up any facilities for the processsing and disposal of solid wastes as contemplated under the Municipal Solid Waste Rules, 2000.

''Even after the spreading of diseases like chikungunya, no effective steps have been taken to improve the existing waste processing and disposal facilities by the municipalities and the Cochin Corporation,'' it said.

No action was taken against people who litter public places, including water canals, with solid waste or filth. The canals constructed by the Cochin Corporation were not being maintained properly and the flow of water was hindered at many places.

Meanwhile, petitioner Dijo Kappan today filed another application, seeking a direction to the Cochin Corporation to produce the records pertaining to the fogging operations conducted by the Corporation.

The petition will come up for hearing tomorrow.

UNI XR ARC DK1847