This Onam, waste from food reaching Brahmapuram dips

Kochi: Scaled-down Onam celebrations, especially govt-sponsored events scrapped in the wake of the Wayanad tragedy, resulted in a steep reduction in garbage generated on Onam day in Kochi. The food waste that reached the Brahmapuram waste management plant on Monday was 132 tonnes in 22 vehicles, as against 162 tonnes that reached in 27 vehicles last year.

The health staff of Kochi corporation attributed the reduction in waste to low-key Onam celebrations following state govt's decision to express solidarity with Wayanad landslide victims. "The carrying capacity of a vehicle is around six tonnes, and 22 vehicles transported food waste to the plant on Monday till 5pm. However, 27 vehicles transported waste from the city till 5pm the day after Thiruvonam last year. We infer the reduction is due to the restrained Onam celebrations," said an officer.

Vegetable vendors too admit that sales of veggies during Onam were less compared to previous years. The vendors were forced to sell veggies like long beans (Achinga) for Rs 20/ kg on Uthradam day, they said. "A long bean dish is a staple component in the Onam feast. But on Uthradam day, we sold it for Rs 20/kg to clear the stock, as against Rs 60-80/kg last year. Unlike in the past, people don't buy veggies and cook Onasadya at home. They prefer to have sadya at hotels. We have now decided not to keep a big vegetable stock for Onam sales from next year. What we have noticed these days is that many people are buying only banana leaves. They order food from hotels and have it at home," said Shameed N H, general secretary of Ernakulam market stall owners association.

While office-bearers of hotel and restaurant owners association said since Onam vacations started very late, the hotels witnessed a marginal decrease in sales. "This year, the Onam vacations started the day before Uthradam, and the district is yet to witness the Onam season-related expenditure. What we have noticed is that star hotels saw a good footfall for Onam celebrations. Small hotels also witnessed good footfall. However, the middle-class people have not spent much this year. Onam vacation is a big season for all sectors, including hotels. We hope people will spend more in the coming days," said K T Reheem, secretary of KHRA in Ernakulam.