Kochi: A portion of Vembanad lake near Panambukad along Container Road is being ‘encroached’ by Real Estate mafia in the cover of a ‘Ring Road’ construction there.
“Nearly two-km section of the water body, upto nine metres width, towards the western side of Panambukad is being filling up with building, surgical and e-wastes for the last over two months. This is also posing serious health issues to local residents,” said Environmentalist Swaran Michael, also a member of the ‘JointSamara Samiti’.
The Samiti conducted a sit-in protest before Mulavukad panchayat office the other day. “We’ve temporarily withdrawn protest after the authorities promised action, including cleaning up of entire waste before May 30. However, the strike will be intensified if they failed to walk the talk,” he said.
When contacted, Mulavukad Panchayat President Viji Shajan said the Ring Road construction project is yet to get sanction and that strict action will be taken against those dumping wastes.
“We’ve written to the district collector and the Port Trust authorities to take action on the matter. They have promised to visit the site and take further action after finishing the poll duties. A meeting will be convened soon with representative of all agencies including Port Trust, Police and Agricultural departments, to find a solution to the issue,” said Viji Shajan .
Warning boards will be set up at the site in two days and a special squad deployed there to prevent the waste dumping in the cover of nght, the official said.
