Kochi: Meet on waste today

Kochi: Kochi mayor Soumini Jain will convene an all-party meeting on Friday to discuss the stalemate over waste removal from the city areas following the recent fire at Brahmapuram solid waste treatment plant. While replying to a heated debate on failure in waste management during a council session on Thursday, Ms. Jain said the meeting will discuss immediate measures to be taken to resolve the stalemate.

During the council meeting, Opposition leader urged a minister-level meeting to resolve the crisis. "The city areas have already started stinking with heaps of garbage on roadsides and streets, posing serious health hazards," said V.P. Chandran, CPM councillor. Another CPM councilor C.K. Peter stressed the need for creating awareness on the use of eco-friendly packing materials like cloth and jute bags.