The city Corporation is making efforts to arrive at a consensus regarding the installation of aerobic bins in the Poojappura ward. Stiff opposition had been raised by a section of BJP workers regarding the location identified for the bins.
Mayor V.K. Prasanth has called for a meeting of people’s representatives, political parties, residents’ and various organisations in the ward on September 22. The meeting has been called at the insistence of ward councillor B. Vijayalekshmi of the BJP, who incidentally has pledged support for the civic body’s efforts in installing the batch of four aerobic bins, for which an amount of ₹2 lakh is being utilised.
Mr. Prasanth said the local body would incur losses if it withdrew from the project at its stage. The work on the basement had been completed two weeks prior to the Onam holidays. “The protests erupted when the remaining works were being taken up. Surprisingly, the residents of the ward are not behind the present tension. It is apparent that the current issue is being influenced by vested interests,” he said.
While the Mayor had said that the pending works would be taken up after ensuring police security, the local body has now decided against proceeding in haste. Among the contentions raised by BJP workers is the proximity of the aerobic bins to a temple.
Temple’s stance
Official sources said that the authorities of the temple had distanced themselves from the controversy. “The office-bearers of the temple met the Mayor and stated that they had not raised any complaints against the local body’s move as is being claimed by the BJP. Neither had any educational institution or the observation home of the Juvenile Justice Board,” an official said.