Roads Flooded Due To Unabated Garbage Dumping In Drains: Kerala High Court Calls For 'Strictest Possible Action' Against Errant Entities

The Kerala High Court today asked the Kochi Municipal Corporation and the Public Works Department to take strictest possible action against those found blocking drains by dumping waste, ultimately leading to flooding of roads in the city.

The bench of Justice Devan Ramachandran had taken cognizance of the recent flooding incidents on Saturday, after Amicus curiae Govind Padmanabhan submitted a report in this regard, during hearing of a petition filed in 2018 over blockage of a canal in the area.

Court said that drainage systems in the city were cleaned pre-monsoon pursuant to the directions passed by it hence the city was prevented from any large-scale flooding. However, it noted the roads were nevertheless flooded due to dumping of waste into the drainage systems. Even railway culverts got clogged within few days after the cleaning process, Court was informed.

The Court noted that this was also due to unregulated and unnoticed food waste disposal in the areas near MG Road and South Railway station. Though it refrained from taking any stern action against the authorities who had given positive assurances that steps will be taken to prevent flooding, Court issued certain directions to ensure the safety of citizens and to prevent further laxity.

It directed that the railway culverts have to be jetted and cleaned. It also directed KMC and PWD to clean the flooded roads. The Court noted that during the cleaning, if any entities or hotels were found liable for throwing food waste into the drainage system, strictest possible action can be taken against them. The Court also directed the authorities to inform if any actions were taken against such entities. The Court further directed the PWD to commence work on the drains and for restoration of footpath, without causing inconvenience to the pedestrians. The Court directed that the Mullaserry Canal work has to be completed without any further delay.