In a first of its kind in the state, the city corporation plans to install surveillance cameras to check waste dumping in public places.
The annual budget of the corporation has allocated Rs 10 lakh towards this. “Cameras will be installed at border areas of the city and other places where waste dumping is still rampant.” said T.K Ashraf, chairman of health standing committee.
The civic body is yet to work out the modalities for installing surveillance cameras with the help of the police, at key points in the city. Sources at the civic administration said that the corporation would continue to work with the police to crack down on waste dumping in open areas.
Meanwhile, there are strong objections from various quarters against the corporation’s decision. “It’s a foolish proposal.
The Ernakulam District Residents' Association Apex Council (EDRAAC) is strongly against this. What we need are facilities to treat waste at source rather than catching offenders,” remarked Mr. Rangadasa Prabhu, chairman of EDRAAC.