Stagnant water at ‘Adi theertha theppakulam' near the western gopuram of Sri Jambukeswarar Akilandeswari Temple in the city has been posing a health hazard to the local residents, especially after the celebration of the float festival at the tank.
The festival falls on the ‘adipooram' day in the Tamil month of Adi every year. In the past, the tank had perennial supply of water; however, over the years the supply channels have silted up, forcing the authorities to fill it with water artificially. Although the sprawling tank spread over about 19,500 square feet, absorbs the huge quantum of water within a few days after the festival, the post-festival period has been posing a recurrent problem to the local residents.
“A foul smell emanates from the tank forcing us to remain indoors and close the doors,” says S.Sulochana, a resident. The problem begins by September every year and continues to pester residents till late January or mid-February. Eagles preying the dead fishes floating on the tank compound the trouble for the residents.
S.Srinivasa Gopalan, another resident, said that the temple had nine tanks – Indira theertham, Brahmma theertham, Jambu theertham, Rama theertham, Srimath theertham, Agni theertham, Agathiya theertham, Soma Theertham and Suriya theertham, all of which need immediate upkeep by the authorities.
Jayaganesan, a resident, says mosquito menace was a major problem. The tank should be kept tidy by clearing the bushes and plastic wastes. With the temple attracting a large number of pilgrims, the temple authorities and the city corporation should take action for its proper maintenance.
The tank has a wide platforms built of stones on all its four sides. “The nuisance caused by anti-social elements at this platform should be checked immediately,” says L.Punithavalli, a resident of south car street. Though the temple authorities had taken some preventive measures, anti-social elements had damaged the iron rods that blocked the entry into the tank platform.
Ms. Punithavalli says that additional street lights should installed in the vicinity of the tank and police patrolling should be intensified.
