The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : VS stresses need to improve sanitation

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Saturday, Sep 01, 2007
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Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

VS stresses need to improve sanitation

Special Correspondent

Chief Minister inaugurates renovated crematorium at Thycaud

- Photo: S. Mahinsha

A WARM RECEPTION: Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan along with Ministers C. Divakaran, Paloli Mohammed Kutty and M. Vijayakumar and Mayor C. Jayan Babu arriving at the renovated Thycaud electric crematorium for its inauguration on Friday.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan has stressed the need for local bodies to focus on improving sanitation.

Speaking after inaugurating the City Corporation’s renovated crematorium at Thycaud here on Friday, he said the lack of proper sanitation was the primary reason for the outbreak of epidemics in the state.

“The failure of the surface drainage system is largely responsible for accumulation of water, leading to vector proliferation. In many urban areas, canals and drains are clogged by solid waste including plastic,” the Chief Minister said.

Mr. Achuthanandan said he was willing to accompany councillors on a ward-level tour of the city to take stock of the sanitation activities.

Minister for Local Self-Government Paloli Mohammed Kutty presided over the function. Mayor C. Jayan Babu, Food Minister C. Divakaran, Law Minister M. Vijayakumar, V. Sivankutty, MLA, Deputy Mayor V. Jayaprakash, chairmen of standing committees, Corporation Secretary Johnson K. George and councillors participated in the function.

Earlier, Mr. Achuthanandan went round the crematorium to view the facilities. Renovated at a cost of Rs.3 crore, the crematorium is equipped with two electric furnaces.

The two units are provided with smoke scrubber units and 100 ft. high chimney stacks for pollution control. Together, the two electric units can handle 16 bodies daily.

The premises, covering an area of 1.4 acres, has been landscaped with trees, medicinal herbs, flowering plants and lawns. Pavilions have been constructed on the premises to conduct funeral rites. Paved walkways link the various units within the grounds. The four firewood furnaces have been retained.

A computerised system has been provided to record the picture and details of the expired persons. The maintenance of the garden and other facilities in the crematorium has been entrusted to a Kudumbasree unit.

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