CHENNAI: Sewage has been overflowing from multiple manholes along Madha Church Road in Santhome for the past three days, causing severe stench and raising hygiene concerns among residents of the area.
Civic activist Ramesh said sewage has been intermittently leaking from manholes for several months. "One sewer manhole was left open and abandoned. For nearly five to six months, a suction vehicle was used to move sewage from one chamber to another nearly 500 metres away, instead of fixing the underlying problem," he said.
The overflowing sewage has led to foul odour spreading across residential streets around Santhome, raising fear of contamination and the spread of disease.
According to the Metro Water Board (CMWSSB), the problem is linked to temporary disruptions in sewage pumping operations due to the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) works.
The Board has stated that several sewage pumping stations in the Teynampet and Adyar zones were made non-operational for interconnection works related to the Metro Rail project.
Speaking to DT Next, Ward 126 councillor Amirda Varshini said CMRL had requested the shutdown of interconnection sewage pipelines, leading to the closure of major pumping stations in the area. She added that officials had informed her the work was expected to be completed by 10 pm on December 20, after which normal pumping operations would resume. "As of now, we are using suction machines whenever the burst happens," she added.