The Hindu 29.07.2010
Protest against waste dumping yard from Sunday
Staff Reporter
| Njeliyanparamba forum members to stop garbage trucks |
Samara Munnani seeks closure of dumping yard
Alternative site not available: Corporation
Kozhikode: Demanding that the City Corporation stop dumping of solid waste at the Njeliyanparamba dumping yard, members of the Njeliyanparamba Samara Munnani will launch an indefinite agitation in front of the waste recycling unit from August 1. A 39-member people's committee, enlisting the support of residents from all the 22 wards in Cheruvannur-Nallalam panchayat, has been formed to coordinate the agitation.
Leaders of the forum have made it clear that they will stop garbage-laden vehicles from entering the dumping yard till the issue is resolved. They added that around 800 schoolchildren from the region would join the agitation, temporarily quitting their studies.
Groups formed
To carry out the chain protest, the munnani has formed different groups of volunteers, including women and children, from the locality. They will also mobilise the support of cultural and social organisations.
V.P. Basheer, convener of the forum , says that uncontrolled waste dumping has made life miserable for the region's residents.
“We do not have access to pure drinking water sources, clean air and hygienic living atmosphere,” he adds. People in the region will not settle for anything less than closing down of the dumping yard and the waste recycling unit, the leaders say.
Assurances
“There were many assurances from the Corporation, but nothing materialised.” Residents of Cheruvannur-Nallalam panchayat are not willing to move out of their present homes and do not want a rehabilitation package, according to the forum.
The Corporation authorities say that projects worth Rs.2.50 crore are going on near the dumping yard to alleviate the public's misery. According to Kanangod Haridasan, Corporation standing committee chairman for health, “the agitation is a politically-motivated campaign by people reluctant to support the positive initiatives.”
Civic body stance
Mr. Haridasan says that the Corporation will not be able to find another site for the waste recycling process.
“We are trying to reduce the quantity of garbage dumped at the yard. We are also planning to introduce technologies for scientific recycling process,” he adds.
