Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat has identified 51 gram panchayats to install inert waste burning units to prevent dumping of waste on highways and roadsides, according to M.R. Ravi, Chief Executive Officer of the panchayat.

He told the general body meeting of the panchayat on Monday that such units have been installed in Kerala and he has seen their functioning.

Kukke Subrahmanya Gram Panchayat has come forward to set up such a unit on its own.

The CEO said that a detailed project report would be prepared soon to set up such units in the jurisdiction of 51 panchayats.

The practice of dumping garbage on the highways and roadsides was rampant in the gram panchayat limits in Mangaluru and Bantwal taluks. Sometime ago, 26 gram panchayats which have failed to control this have been served notice, he said.

In addition, the Regional Transport Officer had been urged to cancel the registration of some vehicles which were found dumping garbage on the highwayside. In some cases, the Code of Criminal Procedure had been invoked upon against those found dumping waste and the Assistant Commissioner had been asked to take action against them. Notwithstanding such measures, dumping of waste was continuing, he said.

Mr. Ravi instructed the executive officers of the taluk panchayats to continue legal measures against those dumping garbage.

He said that a high level of awareness was required to prevent dumping of solid waste. Legal measures alone cannot help bring the change.

Earlier, some members of the panchayat complained that dumping of garbage on the highways and roadsides on the outskirts of the city was spoiling the image of the city.

Replying to questions over non-functional water purification plants in rural areas, the CEO said that the government has set a July 15 deadline for officials of rural water supply wing of the panchayat and Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Ltd. (KRIDL) to repair faults in such units or face action. It has authorised the CEOs of zilla panchayats to take a decision on how to maintain such plants in their respective districts.

In the case of Dakshina Kannada, the recommendation of the House Committee already studying the functioning of such units would be sought on the maintenance aspects.