The large number of people in the city depending on the Karamana River and other channels for water are under the grip of fear with health hazards looming over them as most of the water bodies are heavily polluted.
The Karamana River which was considered to be the pride of the city once, does not flow quiet anymore. The river is a big drain for the city, resulting in alarming health issues for people. Water in the Karamana River is unfit for human use and is a threat to aquatic life too. Water Resources Minister P J Joseph had said the other day said that water from the Karamana River, Vamanapuram River and Vellayani River would be treated for drinking water purpose, especially during the summer. If the present state of pollution in the Karamana River continues, the implementation of the plan will be impossible.
People living on the banks of the Karamana River are affected by several health problems. Most of the children here suffer from skin infections and other diseases too. The polluted Karamana River joins the Killi River upstream of Thiruvallom. Both the rivers carry large quantities of raw sewage discharged from city drains as well as many institutions.
The situation is no different in other water channels in the city. Untreated waste from some hospitals is also another source of pollution.
The polluted Parvathy Puthanar canal makes the Karamana River even more polluted as it joins the river near Poothura coastal village.
“The water in the Karamana River has turned black with waste. As the flow of the water has stopped, the waste in the water is spread all over the water body,” said Raghavan, who lives on the bank of the river.
Meanwhile, local people, along with political parties, continue their protests over the issue. They also sought action by the government to protect the river as well as other water bodies, as there are thousands depending on them.