MADURAI: In the Nadu Theru (middle street) in Karumbalai in the 43rd ward of the Madurai Corporation, whenever drinking water is supplied through the taps in the area, the underground drains start overflowing due to leaks that have not been rectified in many years.
S Balamurugan, a resident, said that many petitions and demonstrations regarding this problem have never been addressed.
“As this ward comes under the earlier 72 wards of the corporation, water is supplied through pipelines once in two days in this area.
But, as much as we look forward to the potable water, we now fear the overflowing sewage,” he said.
The reason behind the problem has been identified as a leakage in drinking water pipeline in some places.
The water spills into the underground drainage (UGD) system, which then overflows onto the road.
The sewage and drinking water are mixing in some place, residents said.
“When we complain, the corporation tankers come and clean up the UGD manholes.
But, the it overflows the very next day,” said Rani, a resident.
Shanmugavalli and Panchavarnam, residents in the ward, said that they had got used to it, but now they are scared that it might spread diseases.
“We are scared that the children may fall sick due to this dirty water,” they said.
Corporation officials said that they have identified 15 manholes along the line up to the Sivaganga road, which had not been opened for over 10 years, and they were choked with sand.
The work has to be done in the night and it will be done in the next two weeks, they said.