Coimbatore: An activist accused the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation (CCMC) of failing to ensure timely removal of excavated silt from a canal at Veerakeralam and prevent continued dumping of waste into the waterway.N Aravinth, a resident and activist, alleged that silt removed during a desilting drive had remained along the canal banks near Veerakeralam junction for nearly three months. According to him, portions of the excavated material and waste have subsequently slipped back into the canal, affecting its carrying capacity.Aravinth said the delay had defeated the purpose of the desilting work. “We asked officials to remove the silt when the desilting work began. They said it would be removed after work. It has been three months, and it is still lying there. Some of it has fallen back into the canal and is clogging it. Moreover, the corporation allocates a separate amount to remove silt, so where has that money gone?” he said.He alleged that sewage continued to enter the canal and garbage was being dumped on its banks. “The corporation insists that residents segregate waste, but open dumping continues along water bodies. At least green fencing can be installed along vulnerable stretches to prevent dumping,” he said.The issue comes months after the corporation undertook a city-wide pre-monsoon desilting drive. In July, the civic body said desilting of the channel feeding Krishnampathy tank at Veerakeralam was under way.EOM
