Uyyakondan turning into a potential health hazard in Tiruchirapalli

Residents along the banks of the stream point out that the river should be cleaned and the thick vegetation cleared for ensuring public health and hygiene.

The thick growth of vegetation in Uyyakondan river in the city. Photo: B. Velankanni Raj

Water hyacinth and the thick growth of other vegetation in the Uyyakondan River has become a health hazard for the residents along its course in the city.

Residents along the banks of the stream point out that the river should be cleaned and the thick vegetation cleared for ensuring public health and hygiene.

Gururaj, a resident of Anna Nagar, says the water hyacinth results in stagnation of water which turns into a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Raja Mohamad, a dealer in marbles and construction material, said a foul smell pervades all along the river course.

A cross-section of women said the mosquito menace was severe at night and during the monsoon.

A. Nagarajan, State vice-president of the farmers wing of the Congress, and N. Veerasekaran, a progressive farmer of Lalgudi, said the river was more polluted all through the course in the district. They said that the river had become a dumping ground for a cluster of marriage halls in and around Vayalur.

A comprehensive plan should be evolved and implemented for protecting the river to benefit both the residents and the farmers, he concluded.

In a recently held farmers’ grievances day meeting, District Collector Jayashree Muralidharan directed the Public Works Department officials to evolve an action plan for clearing the vegetation in the riverbed taking into consideration the rising water-level at Mettur dam.