Demolition-hit Maradu sees severe pollution

The residents of Maradu in Ernakulam, who witnessed the demolition of four tower complexes with almost festivallike fanfare a week ago, are now suffering the aftermath as the whole area is engulfed by dust, accompanied by highdecibel noise.

The Pollution Control Board had advised the local administration to sprinkle water over the demolition sites to keep dust under control, but that has not happened yet. But no solution has been found for the noise pollution.

Currently, water is doused only in areas where the separation of steel bars from the concrete waste is happening, but this is also not being done scientifically. Water is pumped from the lake and the polluted water is flowing back into it, creating serious pollution risks.

The slow pace of removing the wastes is also causing concern. It is estimated that the demolition of four complexes created concrete wastes of over 76,000 tonnes. But only 13 earth moving machines have been employed, with only some 200 workers engaged in the operation. Each site has only about four machines, which are grossly inadequate for the task.

At the site of Golden Kayaloram, the biggest of the four complexes, the work has not even started yet. The company responsible for handling the wastes has been given 45 days to separate the steel bars. Another 25 days are allowed for removing the entire waste.

But it seems highly unlikely that the work can be completed within the stipulated period. The longer it takes for the clearance, the harder it will be for the residents of the area.