Kochi can finally rid itself of its growing garbage problem as full fledged services to clear waste in the city have now begun, two days after waste transport had stopped completely.

Assuring residents in the city, Collector K Mohammad Y Safirulla said that collection of bio and non-biodegradable waste will resume on Saturday, after all waste transport came to a halt following the fire at the Brahmapuram waste plant.

Speaking to corporation and others at the Civil station, the collector said that the city will be cleared of its piled-up garbage in one or two days as “it could not be left in a stinking state.”

The collector’s promise comes after threats by members of Vadakodu-Puthencruz Panchayat who said they would block waste carrying trucks continuing to dump waste at the Brahmapuram plant which was shut down after the fire. The collector also added that only compact vehicles which are closed at the top would be allowed to dispose off waste. Garbage trucks with open tops will be seized if seen transporting waste, he emphasised.

Adding to this, Kochi Mayor Soumini Jain also added that steps were being taken to prevent incidents such as fires in the Brahmapuram plant. Ten CCTV cameras including two HD cameras will be installed inside the plant and three water pumps and a tank will procured to douse future fires in the area.

Meanwhile, the mayor also added that the corporation would take serious steps to reduce plastic waste generation, starting with putting a ban on plastic bags which are less than 50 microns.