KOCHI: The huge e-waste collection centres functioning near North Paravur are posing health hazards, allege local residents. There are three small and big electronic waste collection centres, which unscientifically handle the garbage, in Chittattukara and Karumalloor panchayat areas. Residents are up in arms against the centres which operate in a vast compound with huge piles of dumped e-waste including TV, computer monitors, discarded generators from mobile towers, batteries, electronic tools, mobile phones and other gadgets. Since the dumping yards are operating near creeks and canals, hazardous toxins from the e-waste is being deposited into water bodies, allege residents.
“Through an RTI query, we came to know that the panchayat authorities can’t give a licence for hazardous waste dumping yards. For the last three years, these dumping yards have been functioning without a licence and are violating pollution norms,” said Babu, leader of the people’s action council. Meanwhile, panchayat authorities had to issue a stop order to the agency which agreed to stop operation within six months. “During the six months, trucks carrying e-waste will not be allowed to enter the yard. However, garbage can be transported from the yard. The protest has been called off based on the written assurance given by the panchayat secretary and we’ve been regularly monitoring the agency’s operations,” he added. There have been widespread complaints that sediments from the hazardous waste including heavy metals, oil and other chemicals are polluting the area and the tributary of River Periyar.
