Kozhikode: No change in plight of residents

KOZHIKODE: The solid waste treatment plant of the municipal corporation at Njeliyanparamba, though upgraded spending huge sums of money, is yet to ensure a healthy environment for those living in the locality. All major issues,  including seepage of polluted and poisonous water into wells, rivers and other water resources  are still haunting the locals. Njeliyanparamba Paristhithi Samrakshana Samithi chairman O.K. Koya told DC that the municipal corporation had failed to execute the directives issued by the High Court.  The plant is not  in tune with the stipulated standards and also incapable of processing  the waste converting it into manure, he said.

“Loads of waste  is   dumped on the plant premises. The winds spreads  the stench many kilometres away,”  he pointed out.  “The aged, children and youngsters are affected by  many diseases,”  he said and  added  that asthma, skin diseases and cancer  are common in the area. Though the region witnessed a series of agitations in the past, all are silent now as the police slapped a series of cases against the agitators,  including women.

The High court in an order dated April 11, 2012 had directed the corporation to take  steps to upgrade the present treatment plant and complete the construction of a concrete floor to ensure that the water from the waste did not percolate into the water sources. The court had also directed the corporation to dispose of the solid waste and filth within a year in accordance with  section 326 to 332 of the Kerala Municipality Act 1994.   Beypore MLA V.K.C. Mammad Koya told DC that he has been receiving complaints from many over the pollution of water sources, including the rivers and streams of the locality.  “Though there were many attempts  to upgrade the plant,  those steps were not up to the mark”, he added.