MADURAI: Patients visiting the Sholavandan Government Hospital face hardship and discomfort as an open sewer channel runs right in front of the hospital.
"The hospital is over 80 years old and serves as a vital health care centre for over 2,000 families in the area," said Rajalakshmi, a patient. "The hospital is located at the heart of the town, surrounded by the bus stand, market, and bazaar. The sewer causes unbearable stench, especially when it gets clogged. While some say it's a storm water drain, we suspect it carries sewage too," she added.
Echoing similar concerns, Mohammad Kameer, a local resident, added, "We've repeatedly complained to hospital and local officials, but there's been no permanent solution. The foul smell makes it extremely difficult for patients."
Hospital authorities acknowledged the problem. "Blockages in the channel often lead to foul odour. Though we clear the blockages after complaints, waste from the nearby market-like plastic covers and vegetable remains- continues to clog the flow," said an official from the hospital.
When contacted, an official in Sholavandan Town Panchayat official said, "We've submitted a proposal to cover open drains across several parts of the town. Once the estimate is ready and locations are identified, we'll install concrete slabs. Traders will be warned against dumping waste into the drains, and penalties will be imposed on violators."