Chottanikkara waste management system will be ready before Aug, devaswom board tells Kerala HC

Kochi: Cochin devaswom board (CDB) has informed high court that work on a comprehensive solid waste management system at the Chottanikkara Devi Temple will be awarded in May and the project is expected to be completed before Aug.The assistant engineer of the Chottanikkara devaswom that comes under CDB also stated that all relevant records pertaining to the work would be placed before HC in the third week of May. He made these submissions in response to a suo motu petition initiated by HC following a complaint accompanied by photographs depicting widespread filth and decay, including in the temple kitchen and surrounding areas.The assistant engineer also submitted a detailed project report (DPR) regarding the proposed solid waste management system at the temple, before HC. The proposed infrastructure includes an organic waste converter (OWC) plant, aerobic ferro-cement composting units (Thumburmuzhi model) and a material recovery facility. He also referred to site selection, land development, cost estimation and implementation plan.CDB's nodal officer responsible for ensuring cleanliness at the temple premises also appeared before HC and produced photographs showing the measures taken to maintain cleanliness in and around the premises. HC expressed satisfaction with the work that has been carried out.The court further directed the nodal officer, along with his team, to ensure that the temple premises are kept clean, neat and well-maintained at all times, befitting the stature and sanctity of such a holy temple, so that devotees can have darshan in a proper and dignified atmosphere.