Inspite of all the development works being undertaken in the city, there is no move towards building a septage treatment plant causing the city and suburbs to become a dumpyard of septic waste.Kochi Corporation, Town Planning Committee, chairman K J Sohan warns that without a proper means to treat septic waste, the reputation of the city is at stake.
“The development of Kochi is like building a huge mansion without setting up any sanitation facility. Importance must be given to ensure such basic facilities in the city,” he said.He said septage treatment plants have been mooted in three spots in the city. “This include the four acres of the Port Trust at Willingdon Island, the land at Elamkulam owned by Kerala Water Authority and at Brahmapuram. However, nothing has been done yet in this regard,” he said. Meanwhile, the state government initiative to set up a septage treatment plant in the city under the Kerala Sustainable Urban Development Project has not reached anywhere.
“Once it sets up, the taker lorry owners who transport septic waste will have to bear the maintenance cost,” they said. Meanwhile, protests are brewing up at various parts in the city against the apathy of the authorities in taking necessary action to set up the septage treatment plant in the city.
Dumping of toilet waste in public places has become a common practice. Pachalam residents said that they have had enough with the dumping of toilet waste on public road in the area. “Last week, tanker lorries dumped septic waste on the road near Pachalam junction. The authorities have turned a blind eye towards the health hazards,” said Antony Puthur, a resident.
Meanwhile, Hibi Eden MLA said the MLAs in the district will work towards finding a solution to the issue. “We will raise the issue in the ministry level,” MLA said.