Concern over unchecked pollution of Teppakulam in Tiruchi

Residents in Tiruchi express concern over pollution in teppakulam near Main Guard Gate, urging Corporation to take action.

Residents of Tiruchi have expressed concern over the increasing pollution of the teppakulam near Main Guard Gate in the city.

The teppakulam of Sri Thayumanaswamy Temple is being maintained by Tiruchi Corporation, which conducts periodic maintenance to keep it clean. Despite repeated efforts, the pollution continues unabated, posing a significant threat to the environment, health, and the temple’s sanctity.

Incidents of wastewater from storm water drains around the tank being mixed with the water body due to leakages have been reported. Due to this, a foul smell emanates from the water body, causing inconvenience to passers-by.

As NSB Road and Nandhi Koil Street are dotted with street vendors and small shops, the vendors and public also dump food and plastic waste directly into the tank, causing water pollution.

Environment activists and residents of Thayumanaswamy Temple have urged the Corporation to ensure the tank is maintained properly. With the annual float festival approaching, the civic body was asked to remove the shops above the drains and renovate the drains.

“A permanent solution to prevent water pollution should be taken, and the vendors around the tank should be strictly warned against dumping waste into the tank,” said N. Sankaran, a city resident.

A senior Corporation official said that steps would be taken to shift the vendors and strengthen the drains. With the formation of the town vending committee, the traders around teppakulam would be shifted, and efforts to prevent the public from dumping waste into the tank would be taken.