Protests mount against STP project in Kerala’s West Kochi
The Hindu
Current regime has no role in selection of site or project, as it was cleared by previous corporation councils, says Kochi Mayor
Public protests against the proposed sewage treatment plant (STP) in West Kochi are continuing even as Cochin Smart Mission Limited (CSML), the project implementation agency, remains unfazed.
The mission authorities are waiting for the results of the soil test to initiate the project. A public meeting was organised at Kalvathy on Wednesday evening protesting against CSML’s decision to set up the plant at the site at Kalvathy, which, according to the protesters, was once a pond.
Protests will be intensified in the coming days against the setting up of the plant at the site, which is located close to hospitals and other establishments, said T.K. Ashraf, chairman, health standing committee of the Kochi Corporation. The proposed site is recorded as a pond in the Basic Tax Register, and the Kochi Corporation had earlier denied permission for it, he added.

The Union and State governments provided support in several ways to the needy people, but private institutions should also extend help, especially to those requiring medical assistance, said C.P. Rajkumar, Managing Director, Nalam Multispeciality Hospital, here on Saturday. Speaking at a function to honour Inspector General of Police V. Balakrishnan and neurologist S. Meenakshisundaram with C. Palaniappan Memorial Award for their contribution to society and Nalam Kappom medical adoption of Type-1 diabetic children, he said the governments implemented numerous welfare programmes, but the timely help by a private hospital or a doctor in the neighbourhood to the people in need would go a long way in safeguarding their lives.












