Traders, under the aegis of the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samiti (KVVES), took out a march here on Tuesday, in protest against the Pathanamthitta municipality stopping solid waste collection in the town 10 days ago.
The civic body suspended waste collection, upholding its earlier decision to promote disposal of waste at source. Inaugurating the march, KVVES district president A.J. Shajahan alleged that the civic body’s hasty decision had adversely affected the general public and merchants.
Dumping of waste in the nook and cranny of the town had almost converted the town a dump yard and the stench was making life miserable, Mr. Shajahan said.
R. Ramachandran Nair, Pathanamthitta Powra Samiti president; P.K. Aneesh, opposition leader in the municipal council; Sasi Issac, samiti municipal unit president, spoke.
Municipality’s stand
Municipal chairperson Geetha Suresh said the problem started with the private agency entrusted with waste removal deciding against renewing the contract. Ms. Suresh said the municipality had invited fresh tenders from those willing to undertake the job.
She said the civic body had also prepared projects for disposal of waste at its source itself.