T’puram: City corporation on Saturday bolstered its health enforcement wing by adding two new vehicles equipped with modern facilities, aimed at improving waste management monitoring and sanitation enforcement across city.The vehicles were procured at a cost of Rs 23 lakh using funds generated through penalties collected by health department. In recent years, public health inspectors under the corporation have mobilized as much as Rs 2.53 crore in fines as part of intensified action against improper waste disposal and violations of sanitation rules. Officials said reinvestment of these funds into enforcement infrastructure is part of a broader strategy to strengthen urban waste management systems. The newly added vehicles will support seven enforcement squads that operate in three shifts, enabling round-the-clock monitoring and quicker response to complaints. The squads are tasked with checking illegal dumping, ensuring proper segregation of waste at source and enforcing regulations under state’s solid waste management framework. Civic authorities noted that Thiruvananthapuram has been ramping up enforcement in line with national initiatives such as Swachh Bharat Mission. Increased inspections and penalty drives in commercial areas, markets and residential zones have significantly improved compliance levels in recent years.A senior health official said corporation will continue to adopt stricter enforcement measures to ensure long-term improvements in waste management.
