MADURAI
As the sewage flow into the Vaigai near Alwarpuram remains unabated, residents and environmentalists from Vaigai Nathi Makkal Iyakkam say that Madurai Corporation has not taken any concrete steps to prevent this environmental hazard.
The Pandalkudi Channel that opens into the river is filled with sludge and floating garbage, including bottles, containers, construction waste and plastic. It is common to find pipes bursting here and sewage gushing into the river. This spot gains prominence for being an important religious and cultural symbol as it is Lord Kallazhagar’s point of entry into the river during the annual Chithirai festival.
S. Sekhar, a resident of Alwarpuram for nearly 50 years, says that though the local body promised to step up work around the entry point in October, no concrete steps have been taken to improve the situation. “In October 2018, we saw black sludge flowing right into the Vaigai and immediately complained to officials. Even today, the situation is not very different. The water is black-green instead of being plain black,” he says.
M. Rajan, chief coordinator of NGO Vaigai Nathi Makkal Iyakkam, says that after repeated complaints and petitions, the local body took notice and decided to work on the issue. “We found 108 spots where sewage enters the river and complained. The Corporation says it is attempting to fix the situation,” he says.
A Corporation official and a source in Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board confirm that a sewage treatment plant of 2 mld (million litres per day) capacity will be installed at the spot. The project is estimated to cost .₹ 2 crore and a detailed project report is being prepared. They add that the project will be funded by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited under its Corporate Social Responsibility Fund.
“The Pandalkudi Channel is under the control of Public Works Department. Officials said that they would revive the channel under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) in the late 2000s but they did not complete the project. A DPR will be submitted with modifications in 10 days and we will then obtain technical sanction,” says a Corporation engineer.