The Hindu 24.08.2012
Concern over delay in garbage removal as Onam nears
Contractor is delaying waste disposal citing various reasonsThe residents of Thrissur city are a worried lot.They heaved a sigh of relief when the city corporation struck a deal with the Salem-based agency to remove the accumulated garbage from the city. But the euphoria did not last.
After the initial enthusiasm, the contractor started delaying the garbage disposal citing various reasons.Shortage of workers, non-availability of vehicles to transport waste and difficulty in procuring relevant documents for inter-State transport of waste were shown as reasons for the delay.
The inordinate delay created troubles for Mayor I.P. Paul and the UDF-led Corporation Council, who approved the contract to employ the private party to remove the garbage, ignoring the protest from the opposition councillors.
The LDF-led opposition criticised the move alleging lack of transparency and corruption in the deal.If things continue like this, people fear that they would have to welcome Mahabali with the nauseating stench of rotten garbage.
A walk through the city roads is a disgusting experience. Mounds of garbage piled up in every street corner, leaving slush and stink.Stray dogs and cattle feasting on heaps of garbage is a common sight even in posh localities. Flies and mosquitoes are swarming over the garbage.
People are now keeping mum as if they have lost hope. Even the city corporation authorities have stopped giving empty promises.Even when admitting that the garbage disposal was progressing at a snail’s pace, Mayor I.P. Paul said the accumulated waste would be removed before the Onam festival.
“The contractor is facing trouble in getting vehicles for transporting the waste. Not many vehicle owners are willing to transport the rotten garbage. But they are removing it slowly.”
He said five loads of garbage, around 75 tonnes, were removed on Thursday. The disposal would continue on Friday too, he said.
“People with vested interest are spreading rumours. The city corporation is concerned about people’s safety and health. We are doing our best,” the Mayor said.The corporation witnessed such a crisis earlier during the Thissur Pooram too.
That time, sanitation workers of the city corporation worked overtime to remove garbage from street corners and dumping points. The collected waste was dumped at vacant lands owned by the corporation.Even a sweeping vehicle was hired to clean the roads, platforms and toilets.
- Shortage of workers cited as reason for delay
- Around 75 tonnes of waste removed on Thursday
