The Hindu 14.06.2013
Construction debris dumped at Valankulam; vehicle seized
A tractor was seized by the Corporation officials here on Thursday for dumping construction debris at Valankulam.
The officials were alerted by the members of Siruthuli, an NGO based in the city, that had recently joined hands with Residents Awareness Association of Coimbatore to desilt Ukkadam Big Tank and Singanallur Tank.
According to Siruthuli Managing Trustee Vanitha Mohan, the incident happened in the vicinity of their office. The practice has become rampant over the past two years and several efforts to curb the menace had proved futile, she said. Ms. Mohan said that the organisation had earlier cleaned the banks of Valankulam and planted trees to prevent dumping. But people continued to dump debris and garbage. Only with stringent action, this could be stopped, she said.
Corporation officials said that the tractor was found to be used by a railway contractor and added that the contractor, vehicle owner and the driver have been asked to appear before the Corporation.
A complaint would be lodged with the Regional Transport Office since the debris cannot be transported without the requisite permission. After this, a police complaint would also be lodged, he said.
Criminal action
Taking a serious view of these violations, Corporation Commissioner G. Latha said that a criminal action would be initiated against those indulging in such acts.
The Corporation, she said, was going to request the district administration to convene a joint meeting of all the stakeholders to deal with this issue. As the civic body lacked the manpower to police all the areas under its jurisdiction, she said it would try to seek help from other departments.
“We have given a list of 17 locations to the builders and tipper lorry associations to dump construction debris and yet, they continue to indulge in this practice. I have given instructions to lodge a police complaint and initiate criminal proceedings.”
Stating that everyone must have a social consciousness, she said that several meetings have been held with builders and other stakeholders but to no avail.
