KOZHIKODE: The crude management of urban septage by various unapproved private agencies for money and with no concern for public health will be brought to an end soon, as the district panchayat is all set to track illegal players. To begin with, the details of all private players who advertise their contact numbers in vernacular dailies will be collected and handed over to the police for quick action.
The district panchayat has come out with a stringent action plan after noticing an upsetting increase in the presence of coliform bacteria in potable water sources. The dumping of urban septage in villages too surfaced as a major health issue, prompting the panchayat authorities to act firm.
Meanwhile, the support of various residents’ associations will be sought to instantly block all suspected vehicles carrying septage. Surveillance will be intensified in remote wetland areas, where reckless dumping mostly takes place. The vehicles will be handed over to the police, besides imposing hefty fine on their owners.
“We are very much concerned about the unhealthy practice, where owners of private apartments in the urban area seek the support of these illegal septage management agencies for quick solution. The fact remains that none of these agencies apply scientific methods to treat septage,” said district panchayat president Babu Parassery. He also made it clear that the practice would be banned using all possible means with public support.
Though the absence of a proper septage treatment facility is said to be the prime reason for thoughtless dumping, Mr. Babu asserted that it could not be seen as a valid justification. “Apartment owners have a responsibility to find a source-level septage treatment solution till the local administrators come out with a better alternative,” he added.
The panchayat authorities also argued that the rising public protest was the main reason that delays the septage treatment project in the city.
Steps are under way to settle people’s concerns and till then, all will have to cooperate with source-level treatment initiatives, they added.
