Corporation: Public must cooperate in keeping environment clean

TRICHY: Lack of social responsibility among residents, who end up clogging storm water drains by dumping waste, is equally accountable for poor waste water management in the city apart from poor maintenance and encroachments. The failure of authorities in monitoring and penalising erring residents, fuel the environmental unfriendly habit among denizens.

Even as Trichy Corporation on Thursday carried out desilting works in Samba canal in Srirangam running for about three km, several other drainage canals and storm water drains such as Kollankulam canal in Karumandapam remain neglected. With underground drainage system (UGD) covering only 30% of the city, a large number of households here rely on discharging sewage and sullage to storm water drains.

Adding to the woes are the uncovered storm water drainage canals, which is dumped with solid waste mostly plastic bottles, plastic carry bags and cloths on daily basis. “Perhaps if authorities were more observant towards penalising offenders polluting storm water drains, the clogging of drainage canals could have been averted. Enough awareness has been given. It is time to act tough on encroachments and pollution before monsoon strikes,” D Ramakrishnan, resident of VOC Road said.

While the corporation has planned to desilt five more drainage canals in Srirangam zone and 30 across four zones in the city, the civic body sought the support of residents to keep drainage canals and storm water drains free from solid waste. “Tonnes of plastic float in the drainage canals while we desilt. Unless people feel socially responsible and cooperate with us in keeping the environment clean, it is hard for authorities alone to address the problem,” a senior corporation official said.

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