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Uyyakondan River Choked by Unchecked Waste Dumping
17 Jan
Summary
- Unregulated waste dumping and burning persists along the Uyyakondan river in Tiruchi.
- Toxic fumes and partially burned waste contaminate the canal and surrounding land.
- Farmers urge authorities to intervene to prevent further pollution of the water source.
Along stretches of the Uyyakondan river in Tiruchi, the unregulated dumping and burning of solid waste by sanitation workers continues, posing significant environmental and public health risks. Large quantities of waste, comprising plastics, food scraps, and other refuse, are accumulating at multiple points along the riverbank, between the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital area and the Allithurai bridge.
The routine burning of this waste, often without segregation, releases toxic fumes and leaves behind charred debris that pollutes the canal. This practice is particularly prevalent along Allithurai Road, impacting at least five panchayats. Farmers are calling for intervention from the Water Resources Organisation to enforce stricter regulations and protect the canal's water quality and agricultural lands.
While transporting waste to a designated yard is a long-term solution, local bodies cite financial and logistical challenges. Officials acknowledge the issue but face manpower shortages for enforcement. With ongoing development projects along the canal-side road, residents fear that unchecked waste management will exacerbate environmental damage.
