The Vaigai surplus carrier that flows through Krishna Thevar Thoppu, off Kuruvikaran Salai, is stagnant and choked with garbage. Residents say that many houses in the area are yet to get a proper underground drainage. The sewage often drains into the channel itself, they complain.
Krishna Thevar Thoppu is located about 20 metres from the Vaigai and has faced the brunt of garbage stench and mosquito bites for over 10 years, says S. Muniamma, a resident.
“Ten years ago, the number of houses was much less. Sewage would flow directly into the pumping station located close by and clogging because of garbage was rare,” she says. The residential boom around this area has caused much trouble.
M. Gopinath, another resident, says that at least 20 households located along the channel are not connected to the UGD. One can see water trickling down from a nearby canteen into the channel.“The unconnected houses often add to the menace and cause breeding of mosquitoes. The dirty drains are terribly unhygienic. I wonder what effects it is going have on our health. It is located very close to the Vaigai. I only hope that this sewage does not pollute the river,” he says. Mr. Gopinath also hopes that nearby areas can regulate the dumping of waste into the channel. “Since we live near the tail-end, we face the brunt of the floating waste. During rains, the channel overflows on to the roads,” he says.
G. Muthulakshmi says that the Corporation should build high walls around the drains to prevent dumping of waste. She adds that this will prevent children from falling into the channel as well. It has happened thrice this years.
A shopkeeper, who does not wish to be named, says that this channel irrigated lands in Sottathatti, Panaiyur and Viraganoor. “Ever since water stopped flowing in the Vaigai, this place became a dumpyard,” he says.
A senior engineer from Zone 3 of the Corporation says that the channel clearance is under progress but will take time.
“These areas are largely residential and access is poor. Only manual clearing is possible. This will take another three months,” he says.
He adds that only structures built on unauthorised land are unconnected to drainage. The Corporation would look into the matter.