The Kozhikode Municipal Corporation has issued a closure notice to a newly opened private hospital at Kudilthodu in the city after the public intercepted a vehicle carrying toilet waste from the hospital early on Saturday morning.
It was only recently that the local residents associations complained to the hospital authorities about leakage in the hospital septic tank during the rains that could pollute the nearby wells and other water bodies.
Close watch
Meanwhile, the public grew suspicious upon knowing about toilet waste disposed off in various drainages in Palazhi road, the NH bypass road and the Chinmaya Mission road in Thondayad. Hence, they kept a close watch on the hospital and intercepted the vehicle carrying toilet waste around 1.30 a.m. on Saturday.
Ranjith, who had taken part in the activity, said that a vehicle left the hospital with toilet waste around 1 a.m. Though some members of the public tried to follow it, they couldn’t, due to the speed of the vehicle. When it came back for the next load in around 10 minutes, the public intercepted it and alerted the police.
The Medical College Police arrested two persons in connection with the case. Mohammed Anwar, the driver of the vehicle, and his helper Nishad, both from Perinthalmanna in Malappuram district, were later granted bail.
However, the public refused to release the vehicle into police custody until Mayor Thottathil Raveendran and Health Standing Committee chairman K.V. Baburaj visited the site around 5 a.m.
The Mayor asked the hospital authorities to close down, though relaxed later considering the patients already admitted. But they were asked not to take any more admissions.
Mr. Baburaj told The Hindu that the hospital authorities have been issued a notice asking them to furnish the reason for not closing down the hospital within 24 hours.
He said such illegal activities could be checked only if the public stayed alert. The corporation has also sought the help of the police in dealing with the issue.
