Lack of proper waste management at market troubles residents

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Improper waste management at Pettah market is causing considerable inconvenience to the residents. The waste dumped in the market results in an unbearable stench at SN Nagar here .
The residents allege though they had filed a complaint with the local authorities, no steps have been taken to solve the issue. The Pettah market does not have a waste disposal system and a contractor assigned by the city corporation collects waste from the market. But nobody knows where he is taking the waste to.

Jaya Nair, a local resident who moved to the area from Mumbai recently, complains that she could not open her restaurant due to the putrid stench emanating from a slaughterhouse in the market. “After receiving food safety licence and other required permission for starting the eatery, I cannot open a shop in the area because of the stench. Who would want to come and have food in such a space? I have requested the corporation health standing committee and Road Fund Board to take measures to solve the problem,” said Jaya.

She said a proper waste management system inside the market could easily solve the problem. “The corporation can construct aerobic bins or opt other waste disposal methods depending on the area,” added Jaya.

Corporation authorities said a project worth Rs 2 cr ore for the renovation of the Pettah market is in progress. A new building and a spacious stall for vendors are proposed in the project. “Once the renovation is complete, all the complaints will be addressed,” said Pettah ward councillor Anil Kumar D.

K Sreekumar, health standing committee chairman and Chackai ward member, said that due to lack of space a biogas plant could not be installed in the market.