Solid waste issues still haunt Kochi

Local legislators have little to show for their efforts at mitigating the situation

The lack of initiatives by political parties in evolving a sustainable solid waste management system for Ernakulam has thrown up many questions before the candidates in the election fray this time.

The Hindu made a random selection, especially of candidates in the city areas and the second towns, to ask a vital question: “What have you done to implement a sustainable solid waste management project in your constituency over the past five years?”

Hibi Eden, who represented Ernakulam constituency, passed the buck to the Kochi Corporation authorities. “In my constituency, there are 23 wards affiliated to the Kochi Corporation. It was the local body’s responsibility to collect and process waste at the Brahmapuram plant,” he said.

Stating that he had initiated a de-centralised waste management process at Cheranalloor grama panchayat, Mr. Eden said that it could not take off as expected owing to opposition from the CPI(M) and bureaucratic delays. “Moreover, we need greater support from the local communities to make our city clean. I have come across many who still dump their waste in the open. Public support is a must to turn such projects a success,” he said.

Anwar Sadath, Congress MLA representing Aluva, agreed that he could not come up with major initiatives on solid waste management. “But I have tried to extend support to the steps taken by the local body to address the issue. I will be taking it up earnestly in the coming days,” was how he responded.

Saju Paul, who represented Perumbavoor constituency thrice, said solid waste management was mainly done by local bodies. “Decentralised plans on waste management and treatment could not be made, especially in view of the public resistance. The scarcity of land for such programmes was another reason for these initiatives remaining a non-starter,” he said.

K. Babu, who represented Tripunithura for five consecutive terms, said solid waste management was one area where the government could not make much headway. “We hope that the agreement reached between a private venture for a waste-to-energy plant at Brahmapuram will yield results,” he said.