Southern Railway responded to accusations from the Kerala government regarding non-cooperation in cleaning the Aamayizhanjaan canal, where a sanitation worker tragically drowned.
Expressing condolences to Joy’s family, a temporary railway contractor’s worker who tragically lost his life while clearing the canal, the railway emphasized that waste generated during passenger handling at Thiruvananthapuram central station is promptly cleared, minimizing the possibility of railway waste dumping into the canal. They highlighted the installation of bio-toilets in all Indian Railways coaches, preventing open waste discharge.
Proposals for enhanced canal protection
Joy’s death highlighted the urgency for improved safety and cooperation in waste management efforts across railway premises.
Acknowledging the challenge of cleaning the underground area, Southern Railway stressed the need for concerted efforts to prevent garbage from entering the canal. They proposed upstream barriers in city corporation areas to collect waste and silt, supplemented by fines for polluters and enhanced security measures like CCTV monitoring and proper fencing along vulnerable stretches.
The railway authorities advocated for a designated solid waste collection point in the city to improve waste management practices. Despite criticisms from the Kerala government over alleged non-cooperation with the Thiruvananthapuram City Corporation in canal cleaning, Southern Railway affirmed its commitment to collaborate on canal cleanliness despite recent challenges.
Earlier, Kerala’s State Minister for Local Administration, M B Rajesh, accused Southern Railway of disregarding notices to clean the canal within its premises, prompting discussions on invoking the Disaster Management Act if cooperation doesn’t improve.
