Kochi corp steps up efforts to declare city garbage-free

Kochi:Kochi corporation authorities are expediting efforts to collect and dispose of garbage as part of their plan to declare the city waste-free by the end of the month. A special council meeting will soon be convened to address the challenges and finalize strategies for the Waste-Free Kochi initiative.

To ensure broad participation, the corporation has sought the support of religious organizations, NGOs, residents' associations and political parties. Kochi remains the only municipal corporation yet to be declared waste-free under the state's Malinya Muktha Keralam project.

"We've already held discussions with councillors who raised several concerns," said mayor M Anilkumar. "Even though we transport and treat waste efficiently, garbage still ends up on roads and streets because of continued littering. We can only declare Kochi waste-free after resolving these persistent issues," he added. The mayor also stressed the need for collective action and has sought state govt support for certain aspects of the initiative.

Opposition councillors have expressed willingness to cooperate, but only if the corporation presents a transparent and sincere plan. "The mayor consulted us on the problems involved in declaring Kochi waste-free. We've pledged our support for the effort," said MG Aristotle, secretary of the UDF parliamentary party in Kochi corporation.

However, he also issued a caution: "When Kochi was declared open defecation free (ODF) a few years ago, councillors were pressured to certify their wards despite several families still lacking toilet facilities. We cannot allow a similar situation to occur with the waste-free declaration."

Kureethra echoed the need for accountability. "Any measures taken must be genuine and sustainable. There needs to be a proper waste management system that continues beyond the declaration. Otherwise, the waste will simply accu,ulate on our streets."