The district development committee (DDC) has decided to take immediate steps to tackle stray dog menace.
An action plan would be drawn up jointly by district administration, local bodies, animal husbandry department and Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Sterilisation of dogs and a closed space for harbouring dogs were among the proposals considered at a meeting of the committee on Saturday.
District Collector P.I. Sheikh Pareeth said the action plan would be finalised at a meeting to be chaired by Union Minister of State for Food and Consumer Affairs K.V. Thomas at the guest house on January 28.
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Municipal chairpersons and people’s representatives who attended the meeting aired the difficulties in addressing the threat posed by stray dogs. The collector said local bodies would help the health department buy preventive vaccine against rabies.
A recommendation would be forwarded to the State government to include treatment of rabies in the Arogyakiranam project aimed at extending free medical care to those aged up to 18 years.
Local bodies have been asked to undertake mosquito eradication programmes in association with resident’s associations.The modernisation of the Irumpanam junction where the Seaport-Airport Road intersects with the national highway would be completed in two phases. A project has been drawn up to facilitate free-left and to put up traffic signals and street lights. Kochi Refinery has granted Rs. 50 lakh for the project, which is estimated to cost Rs. 1 crore. The first phase would be completed using the available funds.
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Benny Behanan called for the extension of the Vyttila-Kakkanad boat service up to Infopark. Adequate facilities, including toilets, should be put in place at the Vyttila Mobility Hub boat jetty for the passengers and staff. Since there is no facility for stocking diesel, boats are now forced to visit Ernakulam boat jetty for filling fuel.
Hibi Eden, MLA highlighted the acute drinking water shortage in Chittoor, Vaduthala, and Cheranalloor regions whereas Maradu municipal chairman T.K. Devarajan raised a similar problem in his area. Kerala Water Authority officials said that drop in the volume of water available at the Thammanam pump house caused the problem. The collector said that a meeting at the superintendent engineer level would be held to discuss the problem.
Food Minister Anoop Jacob’s representative called for stern action against those dumping toilet waste in Muvattupuzha River. The Collector said efforts were being made to resolve the problem by setting up septage treatment plants in local bodies. A pilot project would be implemented at the Brahmapuram solid waste treatment plant.