DTPC terminates workers’ contract after sewage disposal at Butt Road beach park

The District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) has terminated the contracts of workers involved in the sewage disposal incident near Butt Road beach park in Kozhikode city.

Waste from the toilet block near beach park, managed by the DTPC, was dumped at the nearby Varakkal beach on Sunday morning. The facility has been reportedly leaking for the past two months, causing sewage to overflow into surrounding regions.

“The workers at the site were issued show-cause notices, and their contract was terminated, and a new contract replacing the workers will be issued,” said Nandulal Malakkal, destination manager at DTPC, Kozhikode.

“Following sacrificial rituals, sand carried into the restrooms by the pilgrims has led to frequent pipe blockages, and we are working urgently to clear the system and expect to restore full service immediately,” he added.

The temple representatives conducting sacrificial rituals arrived at the scene in the morning and found the workers cleaning the tank and dumping wastewater directly onto the beach. They reported the act to the police immediately.

Fire and Rescue Services personnel and local residents stepped in to clean the sewage that had overflowed across the park’s interlocked walkways and chlorinate the area in order to restore public hygiene. The matter has been brought to the notice of the Vellayil police, and a case has been registered.

The contaminated areas of the ground were completely dug up and removed using machinery. As the concerns over sanitation were raised due to the spread of waste, the Health department ordered the temporary closure of food stalls and Tourism department hotels in the nearby area till Sunday evening. The incident took place near a popular evening gathering spot.