KOCHI: Although more than six months have passed since the Thrikkakara panchayat was named a municipality, residents and traders say that this has not been translated into facilities in the area.“The only difference is that our tax rate has increased,” quipped M N Ayyappan, general secretary of the Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi, Kakkanad unit, “Even basic amenities like proper lighting, good roads and public toilets are hard to find in Thrikkakara.”The major problem faced by the residents in the area is waste disposal. “The municipality is yet to take an initiative in terms of waste collection and disposal. As of now, a dozen Kudumbashree members are working to clear the waste from around 30,000 households in the locality.In such a situation, even private plots are turning into mini dumping yards,” said K Mohanan, secretary of Residents Association, Thrikkakara unit.According to Ayyappan, the absence of community dustbins in the area has led the traders to empty their waste bins on the road sides. When the municipality has asked us to dispose of the waste on our own, how else are we supposed to do it?” he asked.The problem in Vazhakkala market area, where around 200 shops are situated, is more severe. “Last week, the municipality did not collect waste for three days without any intimation. When we called to find out the reason, we were told to dispose of the waste on our own. In the subsequent meeting held with the authorities, we were asked to construct biogas plants in our shops! How is such a venture possible in shops which barely cover an area of 75 to 100 sq ft?”asked Badhusha Blayees, president of Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi, Vazhakkala unit. “Although waste collection has been resumed, we have been told that it would stop after a week or so,” he said.In spite of all these allegations, the Thrikkakara municipality bluntly denies the existence of such an issue. “We have not made any such official declarations. Although it is true that we are facing difficulties in disposing of the waste, mainly because of space constraints, we have not stopped collecting waste,” said P Muralidharan, Thrikkakara municipal secretary. “Thrikkakara has only begun its journey as a municipality and this a transition period for us. How can we be expected to perform at par with well-established municipalities? We have started taking necessary steps towards the improvement of Thrikkakara,” he said.
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