Six Vehicles Nabbed for Dumping Waste in Willingdon Island

KOCHI:
The special joint inspection squad formed by Cochin Port Trust, CISF and Kerala Police has nabbed three lorries, one car, one bike and one jeep engaged in dumping of waste on the sides of National Highway between Old Mattancherry Bridge to Alexander Parambithara Bridge during the last two days (16th & 17th September, 2017).
It may be noted that Cochin Port Trust had taken up development of water side walkway on one side of the National Highway between BOT Bridge and Kannangat Bridge on Willingdon Island with the assistance of Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India. However, it was observed dumping of house hold waste and septage waste is rampant on the other side of the road.
The matter was taken up with National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Thereafter, being a matter of public health and social responsibility, Cochin Port Trust in co-ordination with Cochin Corporation had carried out a massive waste removal programme during the last months. Six truck loads of waste was removed from the area during the drive. Though the Harbour Police has been carrying out regular patrolling in the area it was observed that miscreants are engaged in polluting the area when police presence is not there. Hence, in order to stop the waste dumping in the area completely, a joint inspection team was formed by Cochin Port, CISF and Police Department to inspect the area during the night. During such inspection on 16th & 17th September, 2017 three lorries, one car, one bike and one jeep were nabbed and handed over to Harbour Police Station for further action as per the law.
It has been decided to step up surveillance in the area to ensure that the road from Old Mattancherry Bridge to Alexander Parambithara Bridge remains garbage free.