Vehicles passing through the sewage stagnating at West Car Street at Puliyal village near Devakottai in Sivaganga district.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Commuters, local traders, and shoppers at West Car Street in Puliyal near Devakottai are facing severe hardships due to persistent sewage overflow on the busy stretch. Residents alleged that despite multiple complaints to the local panchayat administration, no action has been taken to resolve the crisis. West Car Street serves as a vital commercial hub in the region, housing more than 50 businesses. It functions as a primary connecting route for hundreds of daily commuters travelling from neighbouring areas, including Puliyal, Kiliyur, and Maruthavayal. However, blatant encroachments over the existing drainage channels have choked the network, leaving the wastewater with no outlet but to flood open surfaces. The stagnant water has converted the commercial zone into a breeding ground for mosquitoes, emitting a suffocating foul odour that deters customers and disrupts daily business operations. The situation worsens significantly during peak traffic hours. Residents noted that passing vehicles frequently splash the toxic, contaminated water onto pedestrians and two-wheeler riders, turning a routine commute into a hazardous ordeal. Faced with administrative apathy at all levels, the affected shopkeepers and residents expressed resentment about the situation. They stated that their repeated petitions to the village panchayat authorities have yielded no positive changes.With the local body failing to address the public health hazard, the community has now appealed directly to the Sivaganga district administration officials.They have urged the district administration to launch an immediate eviction drive to clear the drainage encroachments and permanently reconstruct the sewage system before an outbreak of disease occurs. Published - June 20, 2026 08:59 pm IST
