Eloor/Ernakulam: The dumping of both biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste on the land of the Central Public Sector Enterprise FACT has emerged as a serious concern for Eloor Municipality. 

Daily dumping has led to a surge in stray dogs within the FACT township, posing a threat to residents of the quarters and passers-by. Plastic waste has accumulated in one of the old FACT quarters, which now lies abandoned.

Fire outbreaks at the dumping yard on FACT’s land have become an annual occurrence. The fire broke out in February, which took three days to control, caused widespread panic and required around six fire tenders to douse. Municipal authorities claim that despite arrangements for the collection and disposal of biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste separately, FACT has not been cooperating. Following the February fire, the municipality issued a notice to FACT.

Waste from FACT’s quarters continues to be dumped here, along with waste from outside sources. This situation has persisted for years. The dumping yard is located next to Udyogamandal School, but the issue has largely gone unaddressed even by the Pollution Control Board, which has an office in Eloor. No measures have been implemented for the scientific treatment of the waste.

Minister M B Rajesh recently criticised both Eloor Municipality and FACT after noticing the overflowing dumping yard while attending a function in Kalamassery last month.

HMT blames Municipality
Meanwhile, the HMT management has placed the responsibility for tracking down anti-social elements dumping waste along HMT Road and penalising them on the municipality.

HMT took this position in response to a municipal notice instructing it to remove waste dumped on either side of HMT Road within three days, erect a fence or barrier to prevent illegal dumping and install surveillance cameras.

HMT stated that the municipality and other government agencies are responsible for maintaining HMT Road and other roads. It clarified that it neither dumps nor stores waste and that erecting a fence or wall around acres of land is impractical. Waste is reportedly being dumped even in areas that already have a wall.

The management further emphasised that installing surveillance cameras, deploying patrolling teams and ensuring the sanitation of roads fall under the municipality’s responsibility, dismissing the argument that the absence of fencing is causing illegal dumping.