The Kozhikode Corporation Council has officially approved the detailed project report (DPR) for a comprehensive renovation of the city’s mofussil bus stand. This ambitious undertaking is estimated at ₹27 crore, with the first phase, valued at ₹18 crore, slated to begin immediately.
However, the decision wasn’t without contention. United Democratic Front (UDF) councillor K. Moideen Koya voiced strong objections, highlighting that the project’s initial cost in 2020 was a mere ₹11 crore. He attributed the significant ₹7 crore increase to what he termed the council’s “indifference.” In response, Deputy Mayor C.P. Musafar Ahamed explained that the delay, and consequently the increased costs, were primarily due to the unprecedented challenges posed by the pandemic, which necessitated diverting funds to crucial COVID-19 combat efforts.
Waste management in the spotlight
A separate, pressing issue also took center stage: the city’s struggling waste management system. Opposition leader K.C. Shobhita brought forth a submission detailing the critical shortcomings. She pointed out that non-biodegradable waste collected by the Haritha Karma Sena was frequently found accumulating in various parts of the city, underscoring the inefficiency of the agencies responsible for waste management. Shobhita demanded stringent action against these “erring” agencies and raised concerns about the public’s misuse of roadside twin bins, which were often found overflowing with items like diapers and sanitary napkins.
In his reply, the health supervisor acknowledged the severity of the problem. He stated that Kozhikode produces a staggering 382 tonnes of waste daily, with 114 tonnes being non-biodegradable. A major hurdle, he explained, is the severe shortage of material collection facilities (MCFs) and inadequate storage space among the four agencies handling waste, leading to plastic waste bags piling up across the city. To address this, he announced plans for the imminent installation of 10 new container MCFs in key areas.
Unsatisfied with the explanation, Ms. Shobhita pressed for concrete solutions, to which Mayor Beena Philip assured that a dedicated meeting would be convened specifically to tackle the waste management crisis.
Earlier in the session, the Mayor rejected an adjournment motion put forward by Mr. Koya, which sought to discuss delays in various parking plaza projects. She justified her decision by stating that the issue had been thoroughly debated and addressed in previous council meetings.