Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Intensifies Efforts to Safeguard Amayizhanjan Canal
In a decisive move to combat the severe pollution plaguing the Amayizhanjan canal, the Thiruvananthapuram City Corporation has announced the formation of a dedicated three-member surveillance squad. This team will operate 24 hours a day to prevent illegal garbage dumping into the water body, marking a significant escalation in the civic body's environmental protection initiatives.
Round-the-Clock Monitoring to Curb Persistent Dumping
The corporation has issued an official order to deploy the squad along vulnerable stretches of the canal, where waste disposal has been a longstanding issue. According to officials, squad members will work in shifts to monitor activities on the canal banks both during the day and night, addressing complaints that dumping often occurs in late hours. This action comes in response to mounting public pressure and repeated grievances from residents living near the canal, who have endured the environmental and health impacts of the pollution.
Enhanced Enforcement Through Technology and Police Support
To strengthen enforcement, the corporation will leverage footage from CCTV cameras installed along the canal, monitored through the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) at the corporation office. The ICCC enables real-time surveillance and faster response to violations, allowing authorities to quickly identify offenders and take immediate action. Additionally, the civic body has sought assistance from the city police, with patrols expected to coordinate with the special squad, particularly in identified dumping hotspots.
A senior corporation official emphasized, "Preventing waste dumping requires continuous monitoring and strong enforcement. The special squad, CCTV surveillance, and police support will help us address this issue more effectively."
Clarification on G-Spider Robotic Cleaning System
Amidst social media allegations that the recently introduced G-Spider robotic canal-cleaning system has become dysfunctional, the corporation has issued a clarification. The AI-enabled robotic system, deployed as part of a modernization drive to remove waste without exposing sanitation workers to health hazards, remains operational. Officials explained that cleaning operations were temporarily halted at certain locations due to practical limitations, not system failure.
"The cleaning was stopped for a while as robotic cleaning is not suitable at all locations. The canal has varying widths, depth, and obstructions, and the robot cannot be used everywhere," an official stated. The corporation affirmed that the G-Spider system will continue to be used in stretches where conditions permit, alongside traditional cleaning methods.
This multi-pronged approach—combining human surveillance, technological aids, and police collaboration—aims to restore the Amayizhanjan canal and mitigate pollution, reflecting the corporation's commitment to environmental sustainability and public health.
