Maharaja's ground grapples with garbage

The piling up Metro-related work waste dumped on the Maharaja’s College ground almost a month ago is now spilling over to the synthetic track.
Maharaja's ground grapples with garbage

As the KMRL and the DMRC pass the buck to others, the Metro-related work waste dumped on the Maharaja’s College ground almost a month ago is now spilling over to the synthetic track. With just a month to go for the state school meet, the delay in initiating measures to remove it will pose serious hurdles to the athletes and the conduct of the meet.

Surprisingly, the waste has been dumped without the permission of the authorities. While the KMRL and the DMRC denied involvement, the Maharaja’s College authorities reiterated that they have not given permission to dump waste on the ground, near the synthetic track. “We have not granted permission to dump the Metro Rail waste near the synthetic track on the ground. An agreement was reached that the waste could be put at the hockey ground on the promise that the ground would be levelled. When we came to hear of it we took measures to prevent it,” said the Principal.

 How can anyone dump such loads of waste near the track? asks Jayachandran, a member of the college development committee. He pointed out that waste was spilling over to the track and the steeple chase pit of the track will soon be filled with water if it rains profusely. “Besides, this place is used as a temporary dining area during sports meet. With the state school meet round the corner, the authorities will have to rack their brains to get the piling waste removed,” he said. Jayachnadran said the picture would have been different if such a thing had happened in a private college.

 “The toxins in the waste will prove to be harmful for athletes which will definitely affect their performance,” he said.

Tony Daniel, vice-president, Kerala State Athletic Association, said that if the dumping continues, it would pose a serious problem.  However, the  DMRC spokesperson said that the matter is  between the contractors and the college authorities. “We do not have any role in it,” he said. KMRL spokesperson said the same. 

But Zakir Hussain of Ernakulam District Sports Council  alleged that some officials of the Maharaja’s College had misguided the principal of the college who later permitted the dumping of waste near the synthetic track.

 P T Sellan refuted the charge and said, “The principal granted the permission to dump the waste after the council development meeting,” he said.

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