MADURAI
Environmentalists and residents living near Mariamman Teppakulam here were in for a shock when they discovered froth and foam floating in the temple tank here on Wednesday.
Following good inflow in the Vaigai since October, the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple administration decided to release water into the temple tank.
The tank, which spreads to 22 acres and measures 1,000 feet by 950 feet, was dry for a whole year prior to the pumping. The temple administration had been working towards storing water in the tank for the grand float festival to be held in January, said a senior official.
“The tank is fed by an infiltration well which is around 50 feet deep. The well is located inside the river close to PTR bridge. It is possible for sewage to have contaminated the well, causing foam,” he said.
S. Anandhi, a resident, who visits the temple tank for morning walk, said the foam began flying during the day, creating havoc.
M. Rajan, chief coordinator of NGO Vaigai Nathi Makkal Iyakkam, said mixing of untreated sewage into the Vaigai was one of the reasons for the formation of foam. “Mariamman Teppakulam was once directly linked to the Vaigai. Sottathatti channel breaking off from the south bank of the Vaigai would flow to Sottathatti, Panaiyur and Viraganoor. Since the tank falls on the way, it would be filled up en route. Ever since the channel was blocked by sewage and garbage, this link is not accessed by the temple administration. The second method of deploying an infiltration well has failed too,” he said. He said the only solution to clean the tank would be to stop pollution.
A senior engineer of Madurai Corporation said it was a temporary problem caused by chemicals used by washermen in the river. “Stagnant sewage usually emanates a strong stench but there is no foul smell here. Untreated sewage does not mix with water flowing in the river,” he claimed.
