KOCHI: Better don a mask just in case you have to visit the Railway Police station at the Ernakulam Junction(South) railway station since there is an overpowering stench emanating from the piled up septic tank waste.
Human waste has been flowing out onto the station premises through the crack on the cement slab covering the tank.The swarm of flies and mosquitoes hovering above the waste has made life miserable for the police officers and the visitors.
According to M A Mohammad, CI, Railway Police station, the matter had been reported to the railway authorities two weeks ago, but there was no follow-up action.
“The smell is so obnoxious it makes our work all the more difficult. We expect them to take the follow-up action immediately,” he said.
Meanwhile, the railway officials tried to pass the buck when their attention was drawn to the issue.
The station manager, whose office was situated on the same lane, pleaded ignorance while railway chief health inspector Surya Krishnan said the section came under the Department of Inspector of Works(IOW). “What I can do is to minimise the risk of infection by spraying the area with antiseptic powder,” said Krishnan.