The Times of India        29.09.2014  

Dumping of plastic waste keeping people away from the
beaches

KOZHIKODE:
Littering of plastic waste on the Beach Road stretch starting from the
Kozhikode Beach to Bhatt road beach is keeping the people away from the
beaches. The beaches which were beatified utilising crores of fund under
the Tsunami Rehabilitation Scheme are now turning out to be as place to
dump the plastic waste after sunset.

Though the government had
carried out the beautification of Thoppayil and Bhatt road beaches
using the Tsunami Rehabilitation Funds, the people couldn’t spend their
leisure time in the evening at these beaches owing to absence of lights.
The beaches are now turning out to be places for dumping of all types
of wastes including plastic and household wastes. The people are learnt
to be dumping the wastes after the sun set.

M Shoba, a resident
near the Chungam said that earlier we used to come to the beach for the
early morning walk. “ The site of piled up wastes on the road sides
and on the beach actually forced us to change the route of our morning
walk. We want the authority concerned take stern steps against those who
engaged in littering wastes on the road and beach sides,” she said.

Thoppayil ward councilor T Sujan said that Thoppayil beach and
surrounding areas will be cleaned on the day of October 2. “ The issue
is already brought to the attention of the corporation office,” he
said.

Meanwhile, Corporation health standing committee
chairperson Janamma Kunjunni said that the civic body has decided to
take stern action against those who engage in dumping plastic waste. “
The civic body will ban the plastic waste below 40 microtone and
planning to bring down the use of plastic waste in a phased manner. Huge
fine will also be imposed against those who found to be littering
plastic wastes in public places. A decision in this regard will be taken
at a council meeting to be held in the month of October,” said the
health standing committee chairperson.