The drain, which begins at Karuvadikuppam in Lawspet and stretches to the Boulevard before it empties into the sea, is choked with sewage and silt.
| Photo Credit: KUMAR SS
The windows of houses in Zamindar Garden in the Boulevard in Puducherry have been kept permanently shut for several years now, thanks to the foul smell that rushes in every time the residents open them.The unbearable stench coupled with toxic fumes originates from a large stormwater drain that runs directly behind the houses.The drain, which begins at Karuvadikuppam in Lawspet and stretches to the Boulevard before it empties into the sea, has become choked with sewage and silt, transforming it into an open sewage carrier rather than a proper stormwater drain.Originally, the drain was designed to regulate the flow of rainwater towards the north of Puducherry. But houses located along the entire length of the canal near Zamindar Garden have turned the waterbody into a sewer, by illegally discharging sewage into it. The canal empties into the sea located a few metres away. Pipelines from these houses, directed into the canal, remains a common sight in Zamindar Garden.Brahmanand Mohanty, a retired professor with Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) Bangkok and a resident of Zamindar Garden had recently moved into a flat located on the second floor of an apartment in the area in view of renovation of his house.“It has become impossible to keep our windows open. No one uses one particular room facing the canal as the smell is nauseating. It has become convenient for houses abutting the canal on the other side to discard their waste directly into the canal,” Mr. Mohanty said.He added, “Plastics, construction debris, garden waste, and household refuse are dumped into the canal. These obstructions reduce flow velocity and create stagnant pools leading to mosquito breeding, anaerobic decomposition and deterioration of water quality. The polluted water eventually reaches the sea affecting coastal water quality, marine ecosystems, recreational use of the beach and tourism image of Puducherry.”According to B.S.S. Sivasubrahmanian, a resident, “A public toilet that is no longer in use had also encroached on the stormwater drain obstructing the flow of wastewater. The drain’s bunds have also been heavily encroached. Due to these constructions, the drain that is more than 15 or 20 feet wide suddenly gets narrowed down to less than 10 feet near the stretch perpendicular to S.V. Patel Salai.”“We are not asking for a one-time cleaning operation. We are seeking a long-term solution that prevents wastewater and solid waste from entering the canal in the first place. The objective is to restore the canal to its intended function as a stormwater drainage channel and an environmental asset for the city,” another resident said.Mr. Mohanty said that a comprehensive cleaning of the canal was the need of the hour. The accumulated solid waste and debris should be removed, and all wastewater discharge points should be identified. The authorities should also take strict action against illegal dumping.An official of the Local Administration Department said the civic body would ensure this did not continue. Though we have been clearing the garbage, residents and local shops continue to dump in the canal. We will take measures to ensure it is maintained well, he said. Published - June 07, 2026 10:24 pm IST
