KOCHI: Container Road, the main road link to Vallarpadam Container Transshipment Terminal, continues to be a dump yard despite the authorities carrying out an intensive campaign against waste dumping.
Both sides of the 17.2-km road are strewn with plastic and food waste, and huge sacks filled with waste are a common sight along the the Bolgatty-Kalamassery stretch.
“During my morning walks, I often encounter the unpleasant sight of waste strewn on the roadside. Waste is dumped during night, taking advantage of the absence of streetlight. We are fed up with the menace,” said a local resident.
The authorities of local bodies bordering Container Road - Kadamakkudy/Cheranallur panchayats and Kalamassery/Eloor municipalities - have put the onus of clearing waste from Container Road on the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
Siji Babu, chairperson of the Eloor Municipality, said being the custodian of Container Road, the NHAI should initiate steps to end the menace.
“We used to remove waste dumped on the road in our area and cultivate vegetables along the stretch, using our fund. The NHAI served us a notice alleging encroachment, and now it is up to them to take action,” said Siji.
No action has been taken on a proposal to deploy night squads and install cameras along the road to check waste dumping.
The NHAI officials said the issue was brought to the notice of the police.
“Waste is dumped during the night, and the issue has been brought to the notice of the police,” said NHAI-Kochi project Director D Chandra Sekher.