KOCHI:Absence of a proper drainage system and scarcity of potable scarcity are two major problems Chottanikkara panchayat is facing. According to a ward member, as the drains are mainly directed at the surrounding fields, the wells, which are the main sources of drinking water for the local people, get contaminated and the authorities concerned have been turning a blind eye to the issue.
“The biggest issue the panchayat is facing is the lack of effective potable water projects. The people here mainly rely on piped water, which gets disrupted most of the time. As we are not harvesting any of the rainwater, the situation gets even worse. In addition, majority of the paddyfields are lying idle and ponds are in a state of neglect,” says Latha Bhasi, member of Thekkineth Nirappu ward.
Though Chottanikkara Temple is held with high devotion by devotees, it’s not the same regarding the mushrooming lodges and hotels operating in and around it. Owing to the absence of proper waste treatment and drainage systems, the place is usually haunted by stench and no one dares to take their handkerchiefs off their noses during rainy season.
When asked about this, Johnson Thomas, president of Chottanikkara Panchayat, told this paper that the panchayat is in the process of addressing these issues.
“We are chalking out an indigenous water supply project for the panchayat. We have also directed the Department of Agriculture to make a list of number of paddyfields lying idle across 14 wards of the panchayat. Once the list is ready, we will hold talks with Kudumbashree’s CDS group to start cultivation in these fields. If the paddyfields get rejuvenated, the water woes of the panchayat will also be diminished,” says Johnson Thomas. Moreover, the Cochin Shipyard has promised to pay an amount of Rs 55 lakh for construction of wells as part of its CSR initiative, he says.
‘Waste from Lodges
a Bane’
About the irresponsible attitude of hotels and lodges towards waste disposal, Johnson says that wastes from lodges are the bane of Chottanikkara and a system to counter this issue is yet to be evolved.
“Though we approached the Kerala High Court against this, the hotels and lodges operating here obtained a favourable verdict. We are in a helpless situation now and can’t do anything against the waste menace as it may be contempt of court. If there is someone who can do something in this matter, it is the Public Works Department. We are also planning to approach the District Collector in this matter,” says Johnson.
Devaswom to Open
Waste Treatment Plant
As disposal of wastes has been found to be a menacing problem for both local people and temple officials, the Chottanikkara Devaswom is in the final lap of constructing a waste treatment plant on the temple compound. For the project, worth Rs 4 crore, an old building that stood at the G-block of the temple was pulled down and the Engineering Department wing of the Devaswom will soon evaluate the progress made.
“The agency for constructing the waste treatment plant was identified through tender proceedings. Meanwhile, the plant will only handle wastes generated from the temple and the Board has already issued a directive in this regard,” said an official with the Cochin Devaswom Board.