Tirunelveli residents complain about supply of contaminated drinking water

Accusing the Corporation of supplying contaminated drinking water to their area, a group of residents from Jeba Nagar on South Bypass under the Melapalayam Zone here submitted petition to Mayor G. Ramakrishnan on Tuesday during the weekly grievances redress meeting

A group of residents from Jeba Nagar on South Bypass under the Melapalayam Zone here submitted a petition to Mayor G. Ramakrishnan on Tuesday during the weekly grievances redress meeting complaining about supply of contaminated drinking water.

The petitioners said the residents of Jeba Nagar had been getting contaminated drinking water with unbearable stench for the past four months. It could not be used for any domestic purpose or bathing because of the terrible smell. Despite several complaints to the Corporation officials, steps had not been taken to address the issue.

“The drinking water pipe with valve has been laid via a channel carrying domestic sewage. Hence, the leak in the drinking water pipe and the improperly closed valve led to the seepage of sewage into the drinking water pipe and hence the residents have been getting contaminated drinking water for the past four months,” said N. Jayakumar, one of the petitioners.

The petitioners complained that most of the residents, who used this contaminated water for bathing, had developed skin problems and a burning sensation in the eyes at least for a few days.

On behalf of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, a petition was submitted seeking the immediate inauguration of the community hall on Selvi Amman Temple in Sindhupoondurai so that the middle and the lower middle class families could organise their family functions in this hall.

On behalf of Thirumal Nagar Residents’ Welfare Association, petitions were submitted for installing street lights in their area under Ward 54 and proper maintenance of two children’s parks there.

“The park is full of weeds sheltering poisonous reptiles and the park lacked lighting because of poor maintenance. Since the children visiting the park during this summer vacation are facing serious threat from the snakes slithering around, the Corporation should immediately clean the park and fit sufficient number of lights,” said association president S. Pitchaiah.