After Tripunithura, it is the South Panampilly Nagar road that has become the new dumping yard of septic waste. Last week, two cases of septic waste dumping were reported from near the Ernakulam Passport office.
According to DYFI Ernakulam South zonal president Praveen, there are various incidents wherein septic waste are being dumping on the premises of the South Panampally Nagar road during night hours for the past one month.
“Septic waste are brought to the area in tankers and dumped when the road is deserted. Owing to this, we have started keeping vigil in the area. Last week, we were nearly mowed down by the lorry drivers when we threatened to stop them,” Praveen said.
To protest against this, residents have been staging a dharna for the last few days.
Meanwhile, Panampilly Nagar councillor Elizabeth Teacher said a complaint has been filed at the Collector’s office regarding the matter. “This has been brought to the notice of District Collector P I Sheik Pareeth. We have requested him to take strict action against the drivers of the tanker,” she said and added that a similar complaint has been registered with the South Police Station.
Meanwhile, the Collector said health squads from the district administration have been asked to enquire into the complaint.
“However, since the area comes under the jurisdiction of the Corporation, it is the responsibility of the civic body to ensure that a proper check is conducted so such activities don’t take place,” Sheikh Pareeth said.
Meanwhile, the Corporation officials said they were helpless in this regard as the civic body don’t have a suitable area where all the septic waste can be dumped or treated.