26-06-2025
Waste accumulation in Chokkikulam channel irks residents
The channel running through Ramamoorthy Road and P.T. Rajan Road in Chokkikulam has witnessed a gradual accumulation of waste over the years, with residents expressing concerns about poor sanitation and mosquito breeding.
Plastic wrappers, polythene bags, glass shards, and fallen vegetation have built up along the stretch. A long-time resident said that the channel was last cleared several months ago following a water blockage, but has since remained unattended.
'There is a mix of plastic waste and dried branches. Occasionally, there is a foul odour. We have had to rely on mosquito nets and repellents to manage,' he added.
Further, the resident observed that although the channel was cleaned ahead of Deepavali in 2024, waste began accumulating again soon after.
'The channel was designed to allow smooth flow of rainwater, but that purpose is being overlooked. There's a need for greater awareness and regulatory measures to prevent further dumping,' the resident added.
A local shopkeeper pointed out that mosquitoes were a persistent issue. 'It's something everyone here struggles with, especially in the evenings,' he noted.
A staff member at a nearby school attributed the dumping to limited awareness of proper waste disposal. 'Many people don't know where the garbage bins are located. Both households and commercial establishments often dispose of waste directly into the channel,' she explained, adding that the issue appeared to stem more from behaviour than infrastructure.
When contacted, City Health Officer P. Indhira said fogging and the use of oil balls were being carried out in the area as preventive measures to curb the breeding of Culex mosquitoes.
Ward 32 councillor M. Vijaya Moushumi stated that the channel was cleaned around six months ago. 'There is a plan for it to be cleaned again, but the timeline and other details are yet to be determined,' she said.
K. Devi Meenakshi
