THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It seems ‘Neyyattinkara’ has so clouded the political climate of the district that the Vilappilsala crisis and the approaching monsoon have not had any impact over the officialdom to arrive at a solution. Though the issue cropped up in the cabinet meeting on Wednesday, an answer
to the garbage crisis in Vilappilsala and in various parts of the State proved elusive. Post the cabinet meeting, while briefing the media, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the sub-committee led by Urban Affairs Minister Manjalamkuzhy Ali has not been able to arrive at a solution to the Vilappilsala waste treatment issue.
‘’The Government has no successful model before it to convince the people of the foolproof nature of the technology being used in waste treatment plants,’’ he said. And added that Vilappilsala issue was not an isolated one.
‘’Wherever a plant is open, people raise protests as they are apprehensive about such plants,” he said.
The sub-committee has been asked to continue discussions with all concerned and report to the Cabinet, the CM said. In view of the situation, the Government is forced to wait for an amicable solution through discussions with all stakeholders, he said.
Meanwhile, Minister Ali, who shifted to his new office in the South Sandwich Block at Secretariat on Wednesday, said that the Government was toying with the idea of introducing newer technologies to dispose of garbage. ‘’Efforts are being made to arrive at an amicable solution,’’ he said.
However, neither the Chief Minister nor the Urban Affairs Minister seemed worried about the nearing monsoon season. The sub-committee, whose meeting scheduled for Monday was cancelled, has not met since.
Mayor K Chandrika, meanwhile, is awaiting the Supreme Court order allowing the Corporation to operate the Vilappilsala waste treatment plant. ‘’It will probably arrive on Thursday, after which we will proceed with further action. It is sad that the Government is showing its back to the verdict,’’ she said.
Though the Cabinet meeting was expected to give a second thought to the quarry landfill project at Vellar, no decisions were made or announced.
The locals at Vellar, however, are keeping their eyes open to any move towards implementing the project in their area.