Thiruvananthapuram: District Collector Anu Kumari has submitted a detailed report on the massive cleanup operation following the Attukal Pongala festival. The report, requested by Minister V Sivankutty, clarifies that it took three days for the City Corporation and volunteers to clear the main roads and festival zones of the city.

The findings come amidst a heated political debate between the LDF and BJP regarding the efficiency of the post-festival waste removal.

Key highlights of the Collector’s report

While some officials claimed the city was cleaned in record time, the Collector’s report states that the Corporation and volunteers required three days to clear the major roads and by-lanes.

Cleanup is still ongoing on land owned by the Attukal Temple Trust. Bricks and waste remain in areas between the Killiyar bridge and the temple entrance.

Large quantities of waste removed from the streets have been piled up in various open grounds. The Collector has now demanded a report from the Corporation Secretary on the final disposal plan for these waste heaps.

The cleanup has become a point of contention between the state government and the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. Initially, Minister V Sivankutty sought a report from the Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO). However, the RDO’s report, which allegedly failed to find fault with the cleanup, was met with dissatisfaction from the Minister’s office.

Allegations arose that the RDO had prepared the report without a physical site visit. Consequently, the District Collector was tasked with conducting a fresh inspection and submitting a more comprehensive finding.

LDF vs BJP conflict

The LDF has been vocal about the "failure" of the waste management system, leading to a political clash with the BJP-led Corporation. The LDF Parliamentary Party has even approached the Chief Minister, claiming that the lingering waste poses a health threat to city residents and demanding immediate state intervention.