Puducherry Residents Battle Stench from Sewage-Filled Drain

Residents of Puducherry's Zamindar Garden are experiencing severe foul odors and toxic fumes from a stormwater drain. This canal, originating in Lawspet and leading to the sea, has become a dumping ground for sewage and silt, transforming it into an open sewer. Originally designed for rainwater, the drain is now obstructed by illegal sewage discharge from abutting houses, along with plastics, debris, and household waste.

The situation has made living conditions unbearable, with windows kept permanently shut and one room unusable due to the nauseating smell. Residents are concerned about mosquito breeding, water quality deterioration, and the impact on marine ecosystems and tourism. Encroachments, including an abandoned public toilet and construction on the drain's bunds, have further narrowed the channel.

Residents are calling for a permanent solution, not just a one-time cleanup. They emphasize the need to prevent wastewater and solid waste from entering the canal to restore its function as a stormwater channel. While local administration officials acknowledge the ongoing issue of illegal dumping, they have pledged to implement measures to ensure the canal's proper maintenance.