Thiruvananthapuram: A channel of Killiyar river which crosses Shasthamangalam is fully clogged — with plastic bundles, helmet, discarded bottles, fluorescent tubes and what not.
When DC visited the area on Wednesday, fumes were emanating out of one part of the huge pile. A man was sitting calmly, despite the toxic smoke around him.
When asked who lit the fire, he said it must be Corporation workers. When corporation officials were contacted, they said that it has been burning for two days or so. The compound is owned by an individual who approached Corporation for help. “On Thursday we will be clearing the pile, and appointing a guard to ensure it does not get littered again,” said an official.
Right next to the dump is a compound owned by KWA. In the corner close to the dump is a shelter where a waste management service provider stores segregated inorganic waste collected from Sasthamangalam.
Corporation officials feel that it is because of this that people are encouraged to throw waste in the compound next to it.
“The Corporation is willing to take over the facility, but the agency was reluctant. Now, we are trying to find another space for material recovery,” said an official.
Sasthamangalam councillor Bindu Sreekumar said that they were struggling to find a space in the ward for an MRF.
Meanwhile, finance minister T.M. Thomas Issac and Water Resources Minister Mathew T Thomas have decided to lead a 30,000 strong march called ‘Puzhayarivu’ along Killityar to ensure people’s participation in its cleaning and rejuvenation on April 14.
