Service bodies chip in to manage waste

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Service organisations have stepped in where the City Corporation has failed. A number of service organisations have come to the forefront to ensure responsible waste management in some of the key wards under the Corporation. Kerala Gazetted Officers Association (KGOA), Kerala Municipal and Corporation Staff Union (KMCSU) and NGO Union are some of the service organisations volunteering to do the work which the civic authorities have failed in carrying out.

Medical College, Pettah, Chackai, Palayam, Chalai are some of the wards adopted by these service organisations.  Responsible waste management, disposal of waste accumulated in public places, conducting mass cleaning drives, awareness campaigns to motivate residents to dispose waste at source are the main responsibilities of these organisations.  With local polls round the corner, the civic body is on the lookout for more service organisations.

The civic body has given the nod to take over Suchitwa wards which are struggling to maintain the coveted status given as part of the much-hyped 'My City Beautiful City' campaign.

KMCSU has taken over Palayam and Chalai wards. "These two are suchitwa wards and our prime objective is to help maintain that status. Regular intervention is necessary to ensure effective waste management and our volunteers will take part in mass cleaning and house visit programmes," said KMCSU district president T Suresh.

Anil Chandran,  state secretariat member of KGOA, said that more service organisations should come forward to make this movement a success. "We can be part of a lot of activities which would benefit the society and the public. Last week we carried out mass cleaning along the Chackai bypass. There should be a permanent mechanism to ensure that the campaign is sustainable," added Mr Anil.