Thiruvananthapuram: The health squad of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation has nabbed nine persons for illegally dumping waste in various sites, including the Amayizhanjan canal, where the recent death of a sanitation worker highlighted the city's waste management crisis. The Corporation has intensified inspections in response to criticism over poor waste management by both the Corporation and Railways following the sanitation worker’s death. In addition to the Corporation’s night squad, three other squads, including female members, have been deployed for the crackdown.

A fine of Rs 45,090 has been levied on the nine persons. A former Corporation contractor, who had disposed of waste from a hotel, has also been nabbed. An agency that failed to segregate waste has been fined Rs 5,010. The Regional Transport Office (RTO) will be notified for further action. 

Dramatic episode

An auto-rickshaw, carrying a driver, a female passenger, and foul-smelling waste, was intercepted in Maruthumkuzhi. The woman was transported in a Corporation vehicle, while the women's squad instructed the auto to follow. Upon reaching Thycaud, the auto abruptly veered off the road, and the driver fled. Despite a search in Rajaji Nagar with the detained woman, the vehicle remains untraceable. It was later found that the canal’s grill had been vandalised to facilitate the illegal dumping.

The woman has been taken to Cantonment Police Station, and the Corporation has filed a complaint requesting the seizure of the vehicle. The accused were wearing green coats similar to those of Haritha Karma Sena. According to Corporation officials, the woman was previously involved in waste collection for Kudumbashree and continues to engage in unauthorised waste collection.