The Thiruvananthapuram Corporation on Thursday decided to form a special squad to prevent dumping of waste, including slaughter waste, in 10 wards within four km radius of the Thiruvananthapuram international airport as part of measures to prevent bird hits. The squads, consisting of health inspectors from various circles, will work in three shifts and will be present on the ground round-the-clock.
鈥淭hrough the efforts of the Corporation over the past few months, the number of bird hits, which was above 11 last year, has now come down to less than four. We want to reduce this further and ensure that flights do not face any danger from bird hits. The special squads have been deployed with this aim, focussing on the area from Kumarichantha onwards, from where the aircrafts fly low for landing, and the area till Lulu Mall, which is in the take off path,鈥 said S. Jahamgeer, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation secretary.
The squads will carry out regular checks in possible areas of waste dumping, including markets, areas near slaughter houses, common areas and house compounds. The waste will be segregated and collected in the Corporation鈥檚 vehicles to be taken to material collection facilities or aerobic bins.
In case of illegal waste dumping, the squads have been directed to capture live videos and photographs as proof and lodge an FIR under the Municipal Act 1994, Aircraft Rules 1934 and the Solid Waste Management Rules 2016. The squads can also take the help of police personnel to carry out joint checks, if required.
Daily reports on the monitoring activities will be submitted to the project secretariat. The squads will also carry out awareness campaigns targeting the traders and residents of the area.
Given 10 days
The Corporation on Friday issued notices to the owners of the shops selling meat and fish in the area to install glass panels or transparent polythene covers at the front to prevent birds from getting attracted. The owners have been given 10 days to comply with the requirement.
The squads will also map the waste dumping hotspots in the 10 wards. The Corporation has formed a WhatsApp group with the authorities of the city airport to monitor waste management activities.