Locals take oath to protect Kallai river

Corpn. flouting CRZ norms, alleges UDF leader

Local people of Kothi and Pallikkandy on Sunday took an oath that they would prevent the Kozhikode Corporation from building the proposed sewage treatment plant (STP) on the Pallikandy-Azheekal road, flouting the Coastal Regulatory Zone rules and filling a portion of the Kallai river for the purpose.

Hundreds of people assembled at the proposed site of the STP on Sunday to take part in the protest meeting organised under the aegis of the Anti-STP action committee. United Democratic Front leader in the Kozhikode Corporation K.C. Shobitha opened the meeting and administered the pledge.

In her inaugural address, Ms. Shobitha said that those who should be protecting the river were flouting CRZ rules to add to its destruction. “The Mayor and Deputy Mayor, who claim that all the apprehensions of local people will be addressed before the STPs at Kothi and Avikkal Thodu were constructed, were not ready to start an STP in their wards,” Ms. Shobhita added.