Kallikuppam pond a cesspool, residents seek action against mosquito breeding

Officials say they are unable to get the pond cleaned due to tricky and slippery slopes. “Earlier, there was no bin in the locality and the residents used to dump garbage in the pond. After several complaints, a bin was placed. When sanitary workers collect the waste, it gets littered all over. They leave the place in a mess,” said Premkumar P, a resident of Sakthi Nagar, Kallikuppam.

Residents said the waterbody is filled with garbage and it has not been cleaned for at least six months. They said people were falling prey to dengue, especially children and senior citizens. “Every month at least three to four residents get hospitalised for dengue. During the rainy season, the situation is even worse and the dirty water gets mixed with rainwater. We get skin infections and are scared to let the children play out,” said Veeramani R, another resident.

Speaking to DT Next, a senior official of the Ambattur zone said even though the garbage is cleared every two weeks, the throwing of waste by the public creates an endless issue. “We manage to clean the outer side of the pond but are unable to clean the waste as it is unsafe. Now, we have asked permission from the higher up to clean it and it will be done by this week,” said the official.