Waste dumping in Mannankadavu Canal sparks health concerns in Muvattupuzha

Kochi: Illegal waste dumping in Mannankadavu Canal in ward 18 of Muvattupuzha municipality has triggered serious health concerns, with councillors and CPM Muvattupuzha area committee demanding urgent intervention.According to CPM area secretary Anish M Mathew, the canal, which passes through a densely populated area, has turned into a source of foul smell and a potential breeding ground for infectious diseases. "The situation has made life difficult for locals, pedestrians and children at a nearby anganwadi, who are at a higher risk of illnesses," he said.Mathew alleged that the issue has been repeatedly raised before successive municipal councils, including the present UDF council, but no concrete action has been taken so far. He also pointed out that a complaint was earlier submitted to district collector, seeking steps to address the issue, including establishment of a sewage treatment plant (STP) in the area.Meanwhile, opposition councillors of the municipality have expressed concern that waste flowing through the canal eventually reaches Muvattupuzha river, posing a threat to drinking water sources in the region. They allege that the issue was raised at successive councils, but no permanent solution has been implemented."As the situation has worsened, we are forced to intervene and have urged municipal leadership to take immediate steps to clean the canal, prevent waste dumping and protect the river as well as local drinking water sources," said former councillor of ward 18 Jaffer Sadhik M A.