Waste collection: Workers in go-slow mode

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The call to block garbage trucks from Wednesday saw the waste collection in the city by Cleanwell units going awry on Tuesday. Though the City Corporation had not given any direction to the Kudumbashree Cleanwell units regarding waste collection, many units took to a slow pace and some unit members did not even turn up. With the Janakeeya Samithi making it clear that no more discussions are welcome, waste collection might come to a full stop from Wednesday.  It was on Tuesday evening that the crucial meeting between the State Government and City Corporation was scheduled. However, with the full-fledged meeting postponed to Wednesday morning, the confusion has only worsened. The Janakeeya Samithi at Vilappil, which had given the call to block trucks, has brushed aside any possibilities of further discussions in the matter. All this had created an uncertainty that seemingly filtered down to the Cleanwell units on Tuesday morning and they were left in a dilemma as to collect or not to collect waste. ‘’We collected degradable waste and no plastic, but we are not sure if we can do it from Wednesday. The Corporation authorities have not communicated properly as to what we should expect. Things would be clear by Wednesday morning only,’’ said a Cleanwell unit worker in Jagathy.  According to Health Standing Committee Chairperson S Pushpalatha, the Corporation has not considered any alternatives and has not given any directions to the Cleanwell units either. ‘’We are not for a competition with the Janakeeya Samithi. It would mean entering into a battle with a group of people in their land. We are not for it,’’ she said. Which indicates that the trucks would not leave the city on Wednesday. It also means waste collection would not happen on Wednesday until and unless a miracle happens and the Samithi decides to withdraw its plans.  Much would depend on the meeting called on the Vilappil issue on Wednesday and on the Cabinet meeting, in which a policy decision in this regard is expected. If the imbroglio continues, it would not be late before the city streets become a dumping yard.