Dumping of debris continues on the link road connecting Tiruchi Road and Sungam bypass, encroaching portions of the Valankulam despite the issue having come to the knowledge of authorities.
It looks like more areas are levelled on the road using debris dumped along the side of the road.
At some places, the tank levelled by the miscreants is now wide enough to park lorries and other heavy vehicles on the roadside.
Sanjay Prasad, chief coordinator of Environmentalist Foundation of India, said that the corporation recently removed debris from the place after the issue was taken to its attention. However, dumping continued a few days later.
R. Manikandan of Kovai Kulangal Paathukaapu Amaipu said that authorities should set an example by identifying the offenders and imposing fine on them so that the practice can be controlled.
“Though action against the offenders can be taken by authorities namely the Corporation, PWD and the police, there has been lethargic approach. The police seems unaware of various laws for the protection of wetlands under provisions of which offenders can be booked,” said Mr. Manikandan.
Apart from dumping of construction debris, the tank is also facing threats in the form of littering plastic and other non-biodegradable waste into the water posing risk for various living organisms.
“We found a coffin dumped in the lake during a cleaning drive conducted recently. Some of the people from the locality told us that coffin was dumped from an ambulance. Liquor bottles are also thrown into the water,” said Mr. Prasad.
Mr. Manikandan said that sewage from Coimbatore Medical College Hospital is also released into the tank without treating it.
Corporation Commissioner K. Vijayakarthikeyan said that the civic body is working on a long-term solution to control the menace which will be addressed once the processing plant for construction and demolition waste comes up at Ukkadam.
He said that tenders have been floated for the development activities at Valankulam and Periyakulam under Smart City Project.
The places reclaimed by dumping and levelling along the side of Valankulam road had turned to a parking lot for some of the private ambulance operators in the city.
Those living in the locality allege that private ambulance operators are facilitating the dumping of debris at night as they are able to create parking space by levelling them.
They shifted the fleet of private ambulances to the road after authorities cleared their parking space in front of Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH) some years ago.
Though dead bodies are transported using the free hearse service of the Government, people depend on private ambulance when mortuary vans are unavailable.
“We are forced to park ambulances here as there is no parking space available near CMCH or on Government Arts College Road. Our vehicles need to be located near hospitals to get some business,” said an ambulance driver who denied allegations of their role in levelling the debris.
Apart from private ambulances, a stretch along the side of Sungam – Ukkadam bypass is occupied by trucks (used for cleaning septic tank), operators of which are accused of releasing waste into the lake.
