Kulappura residents live sans sewerage

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kulappura residents in Jagathy ward, who live within city limits, have been asking for a sewage line for years. They represent thousands living beside Killi and Karamana rivers, who built septic tanks knowing that those are not ideal for the terrain with a high groundwater level.

Fearing septic backups, many try washing their clothes away from their homes. It is not unusual for sewage water to flow back into their house whenever the water level rises here, says C. Rajamma, 88. “How many times have we asked the people’s representatives for a proper sewage system. It is of no use,” she says. She was six years when she moved here.

Extending a sewage line which was laid between Poojappura and Chenkallur could solve the problem, according to Jagathy councillor Sheeja Madhu. If it were not for a stay which stopped the work, the issue could have been solved, she says. 

However, the solution is not that simple, according to KWA officials. Like many low-lying areas, there is no gravity to aid the flow of sewage waste to the Muttathara treatment plant. “A pump house is required for such areas. But it is not practical to set up a pump house for small pockets. A pump house usually benefits around 25,000 households. Even if the government takes steps to set up a pump house, there would be opposition to setting it up in thickly populated areas,” says a senior KWA sewage wing official.

KWA officials suggest Kulappura residents should wait for the commissioning of Jagathy-Koottamvila scheme. The '10-crore project aims to lay a two-km sewage line. Officials say that one km has already been laid and land acquisition for the next stretch is being carried out. A sewage connection to that line can be established along the Bund Road, they say.