SHRC demands explanation on water pollution in Elathur

Corpn. secretary asked to submit report on steps taken to solve issue

The Kerala State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has asked for an explanation from the Kozhikode Corporation on the water pollution in parts of Elathur ward of the civic body. Commission member K. Baijunath has asked the Corporation Secretary to submit a report on steps taken to solve the issue and future plans, within four weeks. The Commission had suo motu registered the complaint based on newspaper reports on the issue. Councillor from Elathur Manoharan Mangariyil had raised the issue at the Corporation Council meeting on Monday and had sought the civic body’s intervention to find an effective solution. According to him, the residents of about 400 houses in Mattuvayal, Padannayil and Azheekal areas of Elathur have been affected. The area is located between the railway line and the sea, close to the estuary of Korapuzha, and is filled with small streams that provide water and fish to the residents. However, post the tsunami in 2004, the structure of the land changed. A sand bund created near the estuary is blocking the flow of water into and from the streams. As a result, the water is stagnated and is filled with worms and waste. During the rain, the polluted water entered the courtyards of houses, said Mr. Mangariyil.