KANNUR: With protest mounting over the alleged water contamination and foul smell emancipated due to the functioning of the sewage treatment plant (STP) at Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala, the district collector on Tuesday assigned a team comprising Thalassery sub-collector, ground water department and pollution control board officials to visit the spot and prepare report. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Kannur District Collector Mir Muhammed Ali said that the team will visit the spot on Wednesday and that water samples were taken for testing from the nearby wells, where alleged contamination of water has been reported.
"Once we receive the results, we can assess whether the allegations are true or not," he added. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Ramanthali Grama Panchayat president Govindan M.V said that the residents were alleging about leakage from the treatment plant and also about foul odour. "So far we have not received any solid evidence to back their allegations," he added. Meanwhile the INA officials said that they are open to any kind of investigations into the issue. "We are always ready to show the STP to the public representation for any kind of inspection. When the issue first popped up, we invited them and they were satisfied with the functioning. But later when the issue again surfaced, nobody turned up despite we expressed our willingness to open it for inspection," said INA Public Relations Officer.
