The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) authorities have identified more than 35 locations where outfall drains and domestic sewage outlets are directly connected into the canals, after Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed displeasure over the poor maintenance and pollution in the water bodies.
Led by Municipal Commissioner C. Harikiran and Mayor K. Sridhar, the officials, in association with Fire Services Department, travelled in inflatable boats in the Bandar, Eluru and Ryves canals for conducting a detailed study on the issue on Monday.
Several commercial establishments and eateries operate on the banks of canals and there have been complaints over such units dumping waste into the canals at their whim and fancy. In all, the authorities identified 24 locations, where outfall drains and domestic sewage outlets are directly connected into Bandar canal. Similarly, five locations were identified in Eluru (till locks) and Ryves canals as well.
After the survey, the Commissioner instructed the VMC officials to serve notices on the house owners, who directly connect their sewage outlets into the canals. He wanted the officials to ensure such owners constructed septic tanks and connected the sewage outlets to them.
Further, it was also identified that branches of trees growing close on the canal bunds were obstructing the flow of water and trash was accumulating on the banks. This was not only causing pollution in the canals but also causing foul smell.
Instructions were issued to health and horticulture wing officials of the civic body to clear such branches and maintain cleanliness in the canals.
Plans were being laid out to curb the practice of connecting the outfall drains directly into the canals, besides preparing a report for their modernisation.
The Commissioner asked the officials to initiate stringent action against the outlet owners operating on the canal banks in case they dumped waste into the water bodies.
He instructed them to ensure that the canals were maintained clean.
