A year after Joy’s death, authorities move to fence Amayizhanjan canal to prevent waste dumping

Thiruvananthapuram: Over a year after the death of a cleaning worker at the Amayizhanjan canal, the District Collector has convened a meeting with heads of various departments to expedite the installation of dome fencing along the entire stretch to prevent waste dumping. The action follows a case suo motu registered by the Human Rights’ Commission based on a newspaper report.

On July 13, 2024, Joy (45) of Malancharive House, Vadakara, Marayamuttam, drowned while removing sacks of plastic waste from the Pazhavangady canal, locally known as Amayizhanjan canal. His body was recovered 46 hours later near Thakaraparambu. Following the incident, a high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Minister had approved a covered fencing system along an 11-km stretch of the canal.

The latest meeting was convened based on an interim order issued by Human Rights Commission Chairperson Justice Alexander Thomas. A report prepared by the Commission’s investigation wing, led by the IG, had recommended dome fencing along the canal. Justice Thomas subsequently directed the Thiruvananthapuram District Collector to ensure full implementation of the recommendations.

The report further suggested widening the canal to handle monsoon overflow, to be taken up after the fencing work, and called for the reclamation of encroached land used for unauthorised construction. The District Collector has also directed the Corporation and the Clean City Mission to submit details of authorised agencies for waste removal and treatment at the next meeting.

Departments including Major Irrigation, Corporation, Police and KSRTC have been instructed to submit reports to the District Disaster Management Authority on steps taken in line with the Commission’s recommendations. Each department has also been asked to appoint a nodal officer to coordinate the work.