After Brahmapuram fire, Amayizhanchan canal incident exposes Kerala's severe waste management issues
The recent disappearance of a worker in Kerala's Amayizhanchan canal has once again highlighted the state's waste management crisis. Despite 28 hours passing since the incident, the man remains missing. Questions abound regarding the cause — whether heavy rains or inadequate waste management is to blame.
The worker, named Joy, was swept away while cleaning the canal in the state capital on Saturday. Rescue operations are ongoing, but Joy is trapped in a tunnel filled with waste, complicating efforts. A scuba diving team is leading the rescue near the railway station, facing challenges due to debris in the tunnel.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has assessed the site, deploying two robots with cameras to inspect the manhole adjacent to the railway line. These robots are crucial for debris removal and detailed examinations. Scuba divers attempted a 30-metre penetration into the tunnel but were hindered by darkness and congestion, leaving the trapped worker's condition and exact location uncertain.
Joy and his colleagues were hired by a contractor commissioned by Railways to clean a 200-metre tunnel beneath the central station's railway tracks.
The Amayizhanchan incident is not isolated; last year, a major fire at the Brahmapuram waste treatment plant released toxic smoke due to improper waste management practices at the 110-acre landfill.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) criticised Kerala and relevant authorities, citing "utter failure" and rampant violations of solid waste management rules. The NGT condemned the lack of accountability for environmental breaches, labelling it a threat to the rule of law. The Brahmapuram fire underscored the severe consequences of neglecting proper waste management.