KOCHI: District Collector Muhammed Y. Safirulla on Saturday made it clear in the District Development Council (DDC) meeting that the tanker lorries supplying drinking water which levied excessive rates will be seized by the district administration. He also said that such tendencies have come to the notice of the administration and complaints have come that tankers are charging Rs 4,000 for 10 km which is against the norms stipulated by the government. The District Collector said that drinking water scarcity is deepening day after day and hence any measure for exploitation would be sternly dealt with. MLAs M. Swaraj and V.P. Sajeendran said in the DDC meeting that steps for building a permanent check dam at Choondy should be sped up for alleviating the drinking water shortage in Tripunithura and Kunnathunadu constituencies.
Mr Safirulla informed them that he will intervene to resolve any differences between departments over this when Mr Swaraj informed the meeting that the issue will be taken up at the ministerial level if it was not resolved immediately. The official concerned informed the meeting that a detailed estimate has been prepared and submitted for cleaning the Andhakara Canal. Mr Swaraj and Mr Sajeendran also demanded action to deal with dangerously perching trees on the wayside in their respective areas. Anoop Jacob, MLA, demanded that the motor vehicles department’s testing ground at Karingachira should be shifted to Puthencruz while Mr Swaraj opposed it saying that anything that inconveniences the people of Tripunithura should not be done.
Anoop Jacob also demanded strict action against dumping of waste in water sources in his constituency. Roji M. John, MLA, demanded speedy action to replace old pipes for supplying drinking water. He also demanded action for speedy completion of works on the new civil station in Angamaly. District Panchayat president Asha Sanil asked the Regional Transport Department to impart special training to the physically challenged having three wheelers for acquiring a learner’s licence. RTO P.H. Sadiqali said that those who qualified in the written test were few.
