The Hindu 27.06.2013
Compromise reached on Vadavathoor issue, claims Municipal Chairman
Despite the indefinite agitation over the Vadavathoor dumping yard entering its tenth day, the Kottayam Municipality is hopeful of overcoming the deadlock in the issue. Municipal chairman M.P. Santhosh Kumar informed a council meeting on Wednesday that the facility is likely to be reopened on Thursday. However, the leaders of Vijayapuram grama panchayat remained firm on their stand and said they would oppose the move to reopen the yard.
According to Mr. Kumar, a compromise was reached at the meeting that was convened by the District Collector and participated by the leaders of the municipality and Vijayapuram grama panchayat. December 31, 2014 had been set as the deadline for permanently resolving the problem of waste management in Kottayam, he said.
Discussions held
Mr. Kumar added that he had held discussions with the representatives of Kerala Hotels and Restaurants Association, residents’ associations, traders and owners of commercial establishments and had gained their support for the waste management efforts of the municipality. The civic body has provided three months for establishing source-level waste disposal units in all commercial outlets.
As part of the waste management efforts, the council gave approval to a Rs. 8.72-crore project planned to provide disposal units for residences, shops and other buildings. The project has been proposed to be conducted with the support of the State government and the Suchitwa Mission. The Regional Agro Industrial Development Cooperative (Raidco) has been entrusted with the responsibility of constructing waste disposal units for nearly 3200 households. As per of the proposal, 2000 biogas plants, 429 pipe composts, 593 ring composts and 170 vermi-composts will be provided.
The council also decided to terminate the agreements with two other establishments for constructing the disposal units. The councillors belonging to the opposition front criticised the municipal authorities of their alleged apathetic attitude in taking the initiative to resolve the present crisis. According to them, the existing problem could have been prevented by timely implementation of effective measures.
Denies report
Reacting to the developments, Vijayapuram grama panchayat president Baiju Cherukottayil said that there had been no decision on reopening the yard. According to him, such a move would go against the assurance put forth by Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan. It would also be countered by the agitators, he said.
Meanwhile, the health authorities have cautioned that the delay in ensuring regular waste collection and disposal in the town could lead to an outbreak of various diseases. This problem was highlighted in a study report that was submitted to District Collector Ajith Kumar by District Medical Officer N.M. Ayshabhai. The unchecked accumulation of garbage at about 15 designated dumping points could pave way for the spread of diseases such as leptospirosis, dengue and jaundice in the wake of the incessant rains, the report said.
