The smell wafting from across the road has motorists covering their noses as they pass by the mounds of trash dumped by the side of the Attakulangara-Killipalam road.
But for residents of Karimadom Colony who live nearby, there is no escaping the sight or the smell of decomposing garbage. The garbage on the other side of the road is not the only problem though. Inside the colony too, things are not any better. Beside the toilet complex opposite the primary health centre, waste lies strewn around, a few goats nosing through to find something worthwhile.
A good part of it is plastic, which does not degrade. Some rubbish has found its way into the pond, dumped by those tasked with covering the waste patch with soil a couple of day ago, local residents allege.
Some of the waste is dumped by people living in the colony, but outsiders too unload it there, they say.
50 families
Some of the waste comes from those living in a building till houses being constructed for them are ready.
Here, the families, around 50, live in single rooms, with no air or light to speak of.
The rear of the building is yet another garbage dump. The garbage is a wet soggy mess, its close proximity raising serious health concerns.
Many of those living here are elderly, and those living on the first floor find it easier to throw waste down, residents say.
A drain flowing adjacent to the flats under construction is full of plastic covers and bottles, footwear and other waste.
Life near the drain
Even when the residents move to their new flats, some of them would be living just beside the drain.
Living in such unhygienic surroundings is making them ill, though the PHC has been a boon, residents say. However, no mechanism seems to be in place here to manage waste and involve the people in it.
Mayor V.K. Prasanth said directions had been issued to officials for installation of aerobic bins in the colony. Slabs would be placed over the drain and it would be covered.
Solution
A final solution would be taken up along with clean-up of the pond in the colony and strengthening of its walls.
Awareness creation of garbage management among the people would also be taken up, he said.