Thiruvananthapuram: In the wake of rampant poultry waste dumping on the drains along the service roads of NH 66 from Kulathoor to Kovalam, the National Highways Authority of India ( NHAI ) has finally swung into action by starting to close the drains with concrete slabs . The laying of slabs started now from Enchakkal to Thiruvallam. It will be extended until Kulathoor in the north and Kovalam in the south.
The total cost for the project is estimated to be Rs 5 crore, and it will be spent from the NHAI maintenance fund. The waste dumping on the drains of the NH 66 was a regular affair as it was open. Despite intensifying the corporation's night squad operations to nab the offenders, the dumping was done daily.
"It was not possible to remove the waste from the drains using earthmovers every day or every week. We have been doing it since the NH works were completed. But as a permanent solution, we decided to close the drains along the full stretch using concrete slabs,” said Deba Prasad Sahoo, project director, NHAI.
“Now, the closing of drains started from Enchakkal to Kovalam. It has been completed until Thiruvallam. It will be continued, and the open drains on the entire stretch will be closed due to this illegal activity," he added.
Recently, the local residents have expressed their frustration and concern over the health hazards posed by the dumping of garbage in large plastic bags by people arriving in trucks, cars, and even motorcycles. The residents have been demand.