Govt set to end garbage woes

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Under severe pressure from the high court, the government seems to have decided to find an end to the city's mounting garbage problem.
Seeking the co-operation of all in clearing the garbage, chief minister Oommen Chandy on Wednesday said the authorities concerned had chalked out a plan to clean the city.
Though he refused to elaborate on the plan, Chandy said it would be implemented only after taking into account the issues local residents had raised.
"The government is under severe criticism from the high court regarding the issue. We need to act," he told reporters after a cabinet meeting.
Reiterating that the absence of a successful garbage treatment model was the sole issue that has been fuelling protests against such projects, the chief minister said the people's attitude would change once the proposed modern plants at Brahmapuram and Chalai become a reality., the attitude of the people will be change.
"We are thinking of ways to process the waste generated by cities in cities itself. We can't take garbage to villages. We won't create problem to any family," he said.
Chandy played safe when asked if the scheme meant taking garbage to Vilappilsala. "Whatever may be the reply, it will invite trouble," he said.
The Vilappilsala issue and the high court's criticism of the government were discussed in detail, sources privy to the cabinet meeting said."The first option will be to transport garbage to the shortlisted quarry sites. Transporting equipment for the leachate plant to Vilappilsala, as suggested by the HC, is also being considered," a source said.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has sought the cooperation of all in removing the heaps of waste piled up in the capital. While talking to reporters after the cabinet meeting, Chandy said it was decided to clear the city of all the piled up garbage and a scheme for it has been prepared by the authorities concerned.
Refusing to divulge the details of the plan, Chandy said all issues raised by locals regarding garbage dumping will be taken into account while the new plan is executed. "The government is under severe criticism from the High Court regarding the issue. We need to act," he said.
Asserting the line of the government that the absence of a successful model of garbage treatment is the only issue that fuels local protest against such projects in the state, Chandy said when the proposed modern plants at Brahmapuram and Chalai become a reality, the attitude of the people will be change. "We are thinking about ways to process the waste generated by cities in cities itself. We can't take garbage to villages. We won't create problem for any family," he said.
When asked whether the scheme meant taking garbage to Vilappilsala, Chandy evaded a reply. "Whatever may be the reply, it will invite trouble," he said.
Sources in the government said the Vilappilsala issue and the High Court criticism was discussed in detail in the cabinet meeting. "The first option will be to transport garbage to the shortlisted quarry sites. Transporting equipment for the leachate plant to Vilappilsala as suggested by the HC is also being considered," said a source.