Dumping of solid wastes and unimpeded flow of sewer continue to pollute the Teppakulam of the Rockfort Thayumanaswamy Temple, the famous landmark of the city.
Plastic wastes could be seen floating at one end of the tank, reflecting poorly on the civic hygiene and cleanliness of the city.
With a number of vendors operating around, dumping of withered flowers, garlands, vegetables and fruit is an everyday occurrence at the temple that receives large number of devotes every day.
Pavement vendorsNot all traders resort to pollution of the tank, but a few pavement vendors drop their unsold and waste articles into it.
Traders demand that the tank should be completely emptied and re-filled with fresh water, as part of renovation of the Sri Thayumanaswamy Temple currently in progress.
One of the merchants at Teppakulam, K.N.T. Arjunan says that the tank should be properly maintained by the authorities.
Another merchant D. Palani said that the problem was more pronounced on Tuesdays and Fridays when the vendors deposited their wastes into the tank.
Dredging must“They throw the bundles into the tank from a distance,” he says hinting that the exact extent of pollution could be gauged only if the tank was completely emptied and dredged.
The Tiruchirappalli City Corporation says it has drafted a special plan for checking pollution and preserving the temple tank.
One of the measures that has been proposed is the implementation of the National Street Vendor policy which seeks to earmark areas for street vendors, says V.P.Thandapani, Corporation Commissioner.
The Corporation has now taken up a survey of traders and steps were being taken to provide alternative site for the vendors.
A plan to restrict and regulate vehicular movement in the area is also under active consideration by the administration.
