Sewage leak on Vazhuthacaud rd sparks health concerns, residents threaten protest

T’puram: A major drainage pipe leak on Krishnavilasam Road in Vazhuthacaud on Tuesday morning triggered serious health and sanitation concerns among residents, with untreated sewage reportedly flowing onto the road continuously for the past five days.

The leak, located barely 50m from the private residence of the state’s home minister, has drawn criticism over what locals describe as official apathy despite repeated complaints. Residents said foul-smelling wastewater has inundated parts of the busy stretch, creating unbearable conditions for people living and working in the area. Krishnavilasam Road is home to several private educational institutions, offices and commercial establishments, with hundreds of students, employees and pedestrians using the route every day.

According to locals, pedestrians are being forced to walk through the contaminated water, while vehicles passing through the stretch frequently splash muddy sewage onto the walkers. They warned that the stagnant wastewater could become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and pose a serious public health risk.

The incident comes amid recurring complaints about aging drainage and water infrastructure in several parts of the capital city. Vazhuthacaud and adjoining areas have witnessed repeated pipeline leaks and drainage-related issues in recent years, often leading to waterlogging, traffic disruptions and sanitation concerns.

Residents alleged that complaints were lodged multiple times with the city corporation and other concerned departments, but no effective action has been taken so far. “The stench has become unbearable, and the sewage is flowing across the road throughout the day. We have informed the authorities repeatedly, but nobody has come to resolve the issue,” M Harisankar, a resident, said.

Frustrated by the continued inaction, local people are now planning a protest demanding the immediate repair of the damaged drainage line and a long-term solution to recurring infrastructure failures in the area.

According to corporation health standing committee chairperson M R Gopan, the said issue comes under the responsibility of Kerala Water Authority (KWA), and they have been informed to fix it. Meanwhile, a KWA official said that the workers would be deployed soon to repair the drainage pipelines and it will be resolved within 24 hours.