Clogged drain is a source of disease, suffering

City Health

Choked at 4 places, it has garbage thrown by its side. It creates a stink around the area and is a source of illness.

Accumulation of waste due to clogging leads to a stink in the area

A clogged drain beside the Deccan Herald press in Kumbalgodu has made the area unhygienic. The drain is clogged at multiple places, leading to a foul smell.

Tea stall owner Rudresh V said: “For the past 7-8 years, I have not seen the drain clean. Municipal workers used to spray anti-mosquito gas, but a long time has passed since it was stopped.”

The drain, clogged with plastic wrappers, food packets, and paper cups, has become a breeding place for mosquitoes. It is choked at four places over a 200-metre stretch from the gate of the press. Garbage is piled up beside the drain despite a sign that asks people not to do so.

Dr V.C. Murthy, assistant medical officer of health, Kengeri Government Hospital, informed The Observer: “Three positive dengue cases have been registered from a nearby locality. This may be a result of improper sanitation. Pinpointing the source of dengue is a very difficult job for a given locality. Mosquitoes breed in favorable climatic conditions. It is not true that they breed only on stagnant water.”

People around the press spoke of their sufferings. Hariharan P, who sells fish near the press, said: “Nobody wants to buy items from such a filthy place, especially from me because I sell my products out in the open. I used to get customers earlier, but now people avoid buying fish from me.” 

Amarnath, a liquor shop owner, said there is sickness all around the area. The drain is in the same condition for a long time. Children fall sick due to unhygienic conditions. Residents of the area face several other problems like waste dumping and power cuts. 

According to the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974: “Chemical or biological properties of water or such discharge of any sewage or trade effluent or of any other liquid, gaseous or solid substance into water (whether directly or indirectly) as may, or is likely to, create a nuisance or render such water harmful or injurious to public health or safety, or to domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural or other legitimate uses, or to the life and health of animals or plants or of aquatic organisms.”

B.M. Manjunath, the BWSSB public relations officer, said: “The major problem created by dumping waste in drains is not just clogging. When it rains, the water has nowhere to go; it overflows and covers the whole area. This is what causes sickness in the first place. Many people dump waste as they drive through the area. They bring garbage in large plastic bags…. Several awareness programs have been launched so far in almost every area, but none seems to have awakened the people. It is no longer about public awareness; it is about personal hygiene and personal awareness.”

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