THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The project to dispose of garbage at the railway land in Veli has gone up in smoke. The decision was taken at a joint meeting of various stakeholders convened by Urban Affairs Minister Manjalamkuzhi Ali on Tuesday. The Minister, who told the meeting that the project will not create any environmental problems, couldn’t convince the local representatives. The Karikkakom ward councillor, who refuted the Minister’s claim, argued that the people were already suffering from pollution owing to the discharge from Travancore Titanium and English Indian Clays. Kadakampally ward councillor P K Gopakumar requested the Minister not to implement the pilot project at Veli. ‘’If the pilot project is found successful elsewhere, Veli may be considered in the second phase,’’ he said. However, the councillors were of the opinion that the project would create serious environmental problems in the region, if implemented. Mayor K Chandrika, M A Wahid MLA, District Collector K N Satheesh, Suchithwa Mission director George Chakkacherry and representatives of various residents’ associations took part in the meeting.All Support from Govt, Says AliUrban Affairs Minister Manjalamkuzhi Ali said that garbage disposal was the responsibility of local bodies and the government was giving all necessary support to them in this regard. The HC verdict can be implemented only after processing the around two lakh tonnes of accumulated waste at the Vilappilsala plant. Though the government has mooted several projects, they cannot be implemented owing to people’s protests. The Minister also said that he ‘’doubts the political interests in the protests.’’
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