Thiruvananthapuram: For years, overflowing drains have been a headache for the residents along the Plamoodu-Thekkumoodu Road in the city. Two out of the three pumps at Murinjapalam drainage pump house turning dysfunctional quite often is the reason cited for the recurring problem. “The damage occurs owing to water overload at times. We have repaired a pump and made it functional from Thursday onwards. A tender was floated a few days back to buy a new pump to replace the other one and the process to award the tender is underway. The damaged one is expected to be replaced within three months,” said C Sureshkumar, Executive Engineer, Sewerage Division, Kerala Water Authority.
Along with bearing the stench emanating from the sewerage water, the residents have to fight several illnesses also, owing to the proliferation of mosquitoes. “People have been suffering from diseases such as elephantiasis for long,” said Mary Pushpam, Kunnukuzhy ward councillor. For the residents, it has become a routine to sweep away the drainage water entering their homes and premises. “The clogged drains have become a constant menace for us over the past two years,” said T Sasi, a resident.
Meanwhile, there are also suggestions to replace the old and damaged pipelines through which the sewerage water flows. “This problem started some 20 years ago. Hence, the pipelines for at least 35 metres have to be replaced. The place that suffers waterlogging is a low-lying area. So, the road as well as the drains have to be raised by a minimum of one metre,” said Thekkumoodu Sumesh, executive committee member of Thekkumoodu Residents’ Association.
K Muraleedharan MLA, who visited the place the other day, had also said installing a new drainage system was the only solution. Meanwhile, tarring of the road has started on Thursday and the work could not be carried out smoothly owing to the overflowing manhole on the road.
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