KOCHI: The waste management problem has hit another roadblock with the Thrikkakara municipality announcing the stoppage of waste collection from June 1. The already pathetic scenario is set to worsen with the onset of monsoon. “The Vazhakkala market will be the most affected area in this issue. With almost 200 plus shops producing degradable waste, the locality will start stinking if the waste is not disposed of properly. The municipality has not provided us with any other method for waste disposal. They have made announcements that waste collection will be stopped. But we are yet to receive an official notification,” said Badhusha Blayees, president of Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi, Vazhakkala unit. “This is highly objectionable behaviour from the municipality’s side and hence, we have decided to file a petition in the High Court,” he added. The Thrikkakara municipality that had unofficially declared the stoppage of waste collection from May 25 onwards had apparently extended the date to June 1, after being requested by traders of the locality. “The last time they stopped waste collection for three days (May 21-24), most of the traders had stored the waste and disposed it only when the municipal waste collection staff came. This time they have announced that they will not be collecting waste anymore. Thrikkakara is inevitably going to turn into a decaying dumping ground with all the garbage that will pile up on the road side,” said M N Ayyappan, general secretary of the Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi, Kakkanad unit.“Waste collection is the duty of the Municipality. They do not have the right to stop it. We cannot be expected to take it up without being provided an alternative,” said K Mohanan, Secretary of the Resident’s Association, Thrikkakara unit. As of now, the Community Development Society (CDS) of Kudumbashree’s Thrikkakara unit is collecting waste from houses in the locality. However, the Thrikkakara municipality maintains that they have stopped waste collection from large-scale industries only. Moreover, having proper waste disposal facilities is a pre-requisite to gain a licence here. So we have not broken any law. Some of the areas have biogas plants to dispose of their degradable waste. In all other areas, we still collect waste,” said P Muralidharan, Thrikkakara municipal secretary.
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