Coimbatore is one of the beautiful cities in Tamil Nadu that is surrounded by mountains and is blessed with a salubrious climate all year around. The beautiful city of Coimbatore is not spared from dangers from its neighbouring states.
Recently, the Tamil Nadu officials investigated a case in which medical wastes were dumped at places in our state. A similar incident has occurred near Ettimadai.
Kattamuthu alias Balasubramaniam is from Ettimadai in Coimbatore. He owns an agricultural land in Ettimadai. He had planted tomatoes in one part of his land. People from Kerala leased the land from Kattamuthu few months back. As per the lease agreement, the owner collected a sum of Rs. 7500 as monthly rent. While taking this land on lease, the owner was told that his land will be used to segregate waste.
However, the residents of this vicinity have in the past noticed bad smell emitting while the segregation activities were being carried out. It has also been reported that following complaints Shanmugam MLA visited this land about four days ago.
A few people shared that around mid-night a couple of days ago nearly two dozen Lorries came to the area. The people from the area informed the revenue department officials. Christuraj Coimbatore District Revenue Officer, Thasildar Sivansanakaran visited this location and inspected the 23 Lorries. They found medical wastes in the lorry which were brought from Kozhikode in Kerala. The officers confiscated the Lorries.
When a lorry is carrying goods from one state to another state the lorry will be inspected and tax will be collected at the toll gates by the Government. But in this case the officials on duty at the K.G. Chavadi check post have given clearance for the 23 Lorries inspite of knowing that they carry plastic and medical wastes. It also came to light that the respective officials have been bribed by the transporters to allow the Lorries into Tamil Nadu. People from the area stated that the staffs deputed at the check post allow the Lorries after getting money as bribe.
Owing to such waste segregation activities, thousands of acres of agricultural land in Ettimadai are becoming unfit for cultivating agricultural produce. Coconuts, Banana and Tomatoes cultivation is effected greatly by such incidents. Hazardous waste from other states are being dumped in Tamil Nadu due to the corrupt officials. Had it had rained the medical wastes would have mixed and soaked in the agricultural soil making it a unfit land for future cultivations. The infuriated residents of the area have expressed their grief and condemned the lethargic attitude of the officials for permitting such hazardous wastes into our city.
On the contrary, officials at the Kerala check post will not allow even a single banana tree if slightly decayed to pass the check post from Coimbatore. But the Tamil Nadu officials have allowed hazardous medical waste from Kerala across the border to be dumped in our agricultural lands. A group of residents have condemned this recent incident and have demanded that stringent action be taken against those involved and pay attention to the loopholes to prevent such mishaps in the future.
