Stinking garbage deposits, stagnating plastic materials, failure of North-East monsoon and discharge of sewage waters from a cluster of huts on the embankments have resulted in the pollution of Uyyakondan river on Vayalur Road. This is in turn has affected the groundwater table of adjoining residential areas.
Worst hit are residents of Ammaiyappa Nagar who complain that the groundwater has become polluted due to stagnant waste in the Uyyakondan river. Usually, the waste materials and garbage are washed away during the monsoon but failure of monsoon last year had resulted in stagnation of putrid waters. The thick growth of water hyacinth testifies to the pollution of the water. “It does not grow in unpolluted waters,” says K. Balasubramanian, an environmental activist.
A cross section of residents of Ammaiyappa Nagar says that the water from their bore wells had got not only discoloured but a foul smell emanates from it, indicating the pollution of the groundwater table. This they claim, is due to stagnation of waters up to a length of one kilometre.
Residents say that a comprehensive action should be taken to check the growth of water hyacinth and for protecting the Uyyakondan channel in this segment. A row of huts had come up on the embankments of the area and the discharge of sewage waters through cement pipelines further aggravates the pollution. Both the City Corporation and Public Works Department should work together to avoid pollution of the water body. Although some effort was taken by the Public Works Department a couple of years ago, it did not bring about any permanent remedy.
Open defecation
A number of women in the area say that steps should be taken to provide adequate drainage facility in a cluster of residential areas including Gita Nagar, Shantha Sheela Nagar and Ammaiyappa Nagar. “In all these areas, the draiange waters can be seen flowing on the roads,” says Pandi, one of the residents. Open defecation was another problem in the area falling in the Corporation limits. They want construction of a toilet to ensure public and personal hygiene.
