Thiruvananthapuram: The Local Self Government Department (LSGD) will ensure the installation of proper fire safety devices in all Material Collection Facilities (MCFs) across Kerala. The move is part of steps taken to avert risks like fire break-out. A decision in this regard was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Sarada Muraleedharan, Additional Chief Secretary, LSGD, here on Saturday (October 21). Also, stringent action will be taken against those who are found responsible for causing untoward incidents at MCFs, an official statement said here.
Recently, fire incidents were reported in some of the waste management facilities in the state. Ms Muraleedharan said LSGD would take immediate steps to address the issue of fire mishaps that occurred recently in some of these facilities.
Joint Directors of the LSGD in all districts and other higher officials, who attended the meeting, were instructed to ensure that proper fire safety measures are put in place at all the MCFs and other waste storage facilities.
She also suggested installation of CCTV cameras at MCFs which are vulnerable to foul play, and asked the District Collectors to step up round-the-clock patrolling by police and enforcement agencies as part of surveillance mechanisms.
The meeting also observed that since the launch of the “Malinya Muktham Nava Keralam” campaign there has been a substantial increase in the quantity of waste reaching the storage facilities, which calls for a matching increase in the frequency of lifting of waste to prevent its accumulation at MCFs, the statement further said.
The Clean Kerala Company, the nodal agency entrusted with lifting garbage from the MCFs, has been asked to ensure timely removal of waste from the MCFs and avoid accumulation of waste in excess quantities at these facilities, it added.
Also Read: 45 Lakh Tonne Of Waste At Bhalswa Landfill Expected To Be Reduced By May 2024: Delhi Chief Minister
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – theLGBTQ population,indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the currentCOVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water,SanitationandHygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fightmalnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health,adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues likeair pollution,waste management,plastic ban,manual scavengingand sanitation workers andmenstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India wheretoiletsare used andopen defecation free (ODF)status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched byPrime Minister Narendra Modiin 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.
