Muck and green algae on stagnant rainwater on the land allotted to construct a multi-storey shopping complex near the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple has remained an eyesore for the residents, shopkeepers and pilgrims visiting the world-renowned temple.
While the lackadaisical attitude of the Madurai Corporation should be largely blamed for the poor upkeep of the concrete surface of the underground structure of the building, shopkeepers in the neighbourhood should also be accused for using the vacant space for dumping waste.
Besides, the stagnant water has been a good source for breeding of mosquitoes.
The Kunnathur Chathiram once stood on this sprawling piece of land – facing the main tower of the temple on East Chithirai Street and connecting the East Avanimoola Street on the other side.
After the corporation demolished the chathiram to construct a multi-storey shopping complex, it has not done much to fulfil its promise. All that the officials have done is laying a concrete surface for the basement floor and raising around two scores of pillars.
The construction work has stopped at least two years back for paucity of funds. But, the low-lying area has become a fertile breeding ground for mosquitoes as rain water remains stagnant on the concrete surface for days together as the health and engineering officials turn a blind eye towards the potential source of diseases.
“With the city having received good amount of rainfall throughout the dog days, water has been stagnant here for the last few weeks,” a worker in the neighbouring shop said.
Different layers of green algae seen in the water are a testimony to stagnation of water for quite sometime. The wastes, including fruit waste, dumped on the concrete surface have turned the water murkier. Bad odour too emanates from here.
The Corporation Commissioner, C. Kathiravan, had last year warned the officials against neglect in the upkeep of its land. The officials had not even bothered to spray bleaching powder to prevent mosquito breeding.
It may be recalled that the local body had imposed hefty fine on at least a couple of building owners for allowing breeding of mosquitoes in the stagnant water on their premises.
Corporation Commissioner said that he would instruct the officials to clean the area immediately.
