KOCHI: The city corporation council meeting that was held on Wednesday saw councillors accusing the mayor
for not implementing enough measures to tackle the growing mosquito
menace and garbage disposal issues in Kochi. K V Manoj, chairman for
Kaloor south, raised the issue which was supported by the members of the
opposition.

Manoj said that the fogging operation should have
started in September, but even after two months the city was yet to
witness it. People had started complaining about the growing mosquito
menace, he said. “The corporation’s plan to use fogging machines on
cycles and operate it across the city is not practical considering the
area to be covered,” K J Jacob, leader of the opposition, said. Jacob
asked the chairman of the health committee to visit various areas in the
city and get a grip on the matter.

Mayor Tony Chammany,
however, said that the corporation would introduce handheld fogging
machines and those installed on cycles in the inner areas of the city.
The effort was to fog each and every corner of the city and 25 fogging
machines had been acquired recently for the purpose. Fogging, with the
help of cycles, was on experimental basis and all health circles were
expected to provide their support.

The opposition members also
raised the issue of the high court instructing the corporation to meet
and explain the waste disposal system of the city. “The city has failed
to gain self-sustainability in dealing with the waste produced by the
city. Also, dumping of garbage on road sides has increased and it is no
wonder that the judiciary is worried about it. The public will place
councilors accountable for the growing menace and it is the duty of the
mayor to take steps to eradicate the problem,” Jacob said during the
council meeting.

“The high court has invited the corporation to
discuss the issue and we believe that the judiciary’s interest in the
subject would help the corporation a lot. We have night patrols doing
the rounds in the city to nab those dumping garbage in public spots and
after the high court’s invitation, the police department is showing a
keen interest in helping our squad,” Tony Chammany replied. He added
that the corporation would launch a one-year awareness programme on
December 23 to spread the message of the need for a clean environment.

The mayor said that 159 buildings which had flouted rules related to
construction of illegal structures had been given notices and strict
action would be taken by the corporation soon.

The city
corporation council meeting that was held on Wednesday saw councillors
accusing the Mayor for not implementing measures to tackle the growing
mosquito menace and garbage disposal in Kochi. KV Manoj, chairman for
Kaloor South raised the issue which was supported by members of
opposition.

KV Manoj pointed out that fogging operations should
have started in the month of September, but even after two months the
city is yet to witness it. Due to this people across the city have
started complaining about the increase in mosquito population.
Corporation’s plan to fit the recently acquired fogging machines on
cycles and operate it across the city is not practical considering the
area to be covered. Supporting his argument KJ Jacob, leader of
opposition asked the chairman of health committee to visit the various
areas in the city and get a grip on the matter.

Answering the
raised question, Mayor Tony Chammany said that this time, alongside
fogging operations using bigger vehicles in main roads, corporation
would introduce handheld fogging machines and those installed on cycles
in the inner areas of the city. The effort is to fog each nook and
corner of the city and 25 fogging machines have been acquired recently
for the purpose. Fogging by cycles is purely on experimental basis and
all health circles are expected to give their support.

Opposition members also raised the issue of High Court instructing
Corporation to meet and explain about the waste disposal system of the
city.

“The city has failed to gain self-sustainability in
dealing with the waste produced by the city. Also dumping garbage on
road sides have increased and it is no wonder that the judiciary is
worried about it. Public would place councillors accountable for the
growing menace and it is the duty of the Mayor to take steps to
eradicate the problem,” KJ Jacob said during the council meeting.

To this, the Mayor explained that the instruction of High Court should
be seen on a positive note. “High Court invited corporation to discuss
the issue and we believe that judiciary’s interest in the subject would
help Corporation a lot. We have night patrols doing rounds in the city
to nab those dumping garbage in public spots and after HC invited us,
the police department is showing keen interest in helping our squad,”
Tony Chammany said. He added that corporation will launch a one year
awareness program on December 23 to spread the message of ‘Clean
Environment’.

Mayor also brought to the notice that the 159
buildings which have flouted rules to construct illegal structures have
been given notification and strict action will be taken by corporation
soon.