Court halts construction of STP in Kozhikode's Avikkal

Kozhikode: The district Munsiff Court here on Thursday issued an order halting the construction of a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in Avikkal Canal. The court observed that the proposed project area is a part of the canal while considering a petition filed by a local resident, Sakheer Hussain. 

The petitioner alleged that the area identified by the Corporation for the project is a part of the canal and any construction work would lead to severe environmental issues. 

Earlier, the court had set up a commission to study the matter. The commission report favoured the claims of the petitioner. The court also examined the documents related to the project. Following this, the court directed authorities to halt construction in the area. 

For the past several months, protests were ongoing in Avikkal against the construction of a Sewage Treatment Plant by Kozhikode Corporation. Despite resistance, Police removed the protesters' shed and started the construction works there.