Date:03/05/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/05/03/stories/2005050305490500.htm

Kerala

Lok Ayukta issues notice to State Government

Staff Reporter

Contamination of the Meenachil river

KOCHI: The Kerala Lok Ayukta on Monday issued notices to the State Government and other respondents on a petition seeking a direction to the Kottayam District Administration to prevent contamination of the Meenachil river and Vembanadu backwaters.

The petition was filed by T.K. Suresh Kumar of Mannanam and three others. According to the petition, the Meenachil river had got contaminated due to the emptying of wastewater from the hotels, hospitals and medical laboratories in Kotttayam into the river. The Kottayam Municipality it self had constructed a drain leading to the river. The major polluting institution was the Kottayam Medical College. The wastewater from hotels and toilets in Pala town also has been diverted into the river.

The petitioners learnt that the Kottayam office of the Pollution Control Board had reported that the water in the Meenachil river was contaminated with E coli and coli form bacteria. However, the Board has not taken any steps to prevent the pollution of the river.

The petitioners also sought a direction to the Government to identify the major hospitals, hotels and industries which polluted the major rivers in the State, especially the Meenachil river, and to order installation of wastewater treatment plants within a time-limit.