The Hindu 28.12.2010
Corpn. move to discourage manual disposal of sewage
Staff Reporter
Coimbatore: Owners of flats, cinemas, wedding halls, hospitals,
lodges, restaurants and schools beware. The next time you clean sewage
on your premises, ensure that nobody enters the sewage tank and that the
cleaning is done only with machines. Or, face the risk of being
penalised for using manual labour for this purpose.
The Coimbatore Corporation has recently acquired machines to clean
such tanks. These establishments can contact the respective Corporation
zone officials to use these machines. Even contractors can be engaged,
provided they use machines and not men. The equipment has been made
available round-the-clock, said Commissioner Anshul Mishra at a press
meet in the city on Monday.
“The idea of asking people to use machines to clean sewage is to
ensure that humans are prevented from entering sewage tanks and
manholes. For, there is always the possibility of poisonous gas from the
tanks asphyxiating or even endangering the cleaners’ lives,” he said.
The Corporation’s decision follows a State Government order consequent to a direction from the Madras High Court.
The civic body proposes to meet owners of educational institutions
and commercial establishments to stress the importance of mechanised
cleaning of sewerage.
It would also to urge them to construct diaphragm chambers to prevent
solid waste from entering into the underground drainage system in the
city.
The civic body has identified 750 establishments which will have to
construct these chambers. Mr. Mishra said they could take around 15 days
to complete the construction. In case of doubt, the services of the
Corporation officers could be availed of.
The Corporation has planned a meeting on its premises at 5 p.m. on Tuesday as well as a two-day awareness programme.
Phone number of Assistant Commissioner:
East – 94437- 99207
West – 94437 – 99206
North – 94437 – 99208
South – 94437 – 9921111