The Kozhikode Municipal Corporation has slapped fines ranging from ₹25,000 to ₹75,000 on a host of hospitals, apartments and buildings for emptying sewage into the Conolly Canal which was cleaned up recently through a massive efforts by around 5,000 people. Notices have been served on around 10 establishments to close the drains into the canal.

The openings of city drains into the canal have already been covered with mesh to prevent solid waste from being deposited in the waterbody.

But several shops and establishments have been emptying their drains into the city drains and are polluting the canal water.

A recent study by the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM) had found considerable presence of E.coli in the canal water. Hospital waste, refuse from slaughterhouses and plastic have been identified as the major pollutants of the canal.

Volunteers who had cleaned up the canal had recovered around 2,500 bags of plastic waste including bottles, carry bags and footwear from the waterbody.

The Corporation Health Wing has identified Vijaya Hospital, Malabar Hospital, V.P. Space Building, Highlight Harmony Apartments, Chandanakkattil Apartments and Skyline Sonata Apartments at Eranhipalam besides New Akshaya Tea Shop in Kundooparamba, Krishna Bakery in Karaparamba and Laila Sign Printing in Puthiyapalam as offenders who have refused to close the drains.

“If found guilty, they will have to face punishment including imprisonment up to three years and fine up to ₹2 lakh under the Kerala Municipal Act 340 A and the Kerala Irrigation and Water Conservation Act,” said R.S. Gopakumar, Health Officer of the Kozhikode Corporation.