Thiruvananthapuram: The district administration on Monday announced a project to restore the Padmatheertham pond in front of the Sri Padmanabha Swamy temple at East Fort and prevent pollution of the water.

A meeting convened by the Revenue Divisional Officer K.V. Mohankumar decided to clear the pipes bringing water to the tank.

Officials participating in the meeting observed that the absence of inflow and drainage had led to stagnation of the water in the temple tank. They said chemical examination of water samples had revealed bacterial contamination, making the water unfit for bathing. The tests also showed the presence of fecal coliform bacteria, indicating sewage contamination.

The RDO had directed the State Pollution Control Board and the Regional Public Health Laboratory to carry out the tests after an expert committee appointed by the District Medical Officer found that there was no contamination of the water or proliferation of mosquito larvae.

Mr. Mohankumar directed the Irrigation Chief Engineer to clear the blocks in the old iron pipeline from Marunthukuzhy to East Fort through the Kochar road. The six km-long pipeline laid during the Travancore era is blocked at several places. The Irrigation department has also been asked to open the outlet to the Thekkanamkara canal to ensure proper flushing.

The RDO criticised the Sri Padmanabha Swamy Temple Trust authorities for the failure to participate in the meeting.

Minor Irrigation Assistant Engineer P.S. Vinod, Fort Assistant Commissioner T.K. Haridas, Corporation Health Officer Dr. Sreekumar and officials from the Pollution Control Board and the District Medical Officer attended the meeting.

In March, the RDO had launched criminal proceedings against the city orporation, the District Medical Officer and the Sri Padmanabha Swamy Temple Trust for the failure to check the pollution of the pond.

The action followed a complaint filed by the Citizens Protection Forum, alleging neglect on the part of the authorities in maintaining the pond. The forum said the polluted pond had turned into a breeding centre for mosquitoes, making life miserable for the residents in the locality.

Forum leaders pointed out that the failure to maintain the flushing mechanism had turned the tank into a stagnant waterbody.

They said the Temple Trust that is responsible for maintaining the pond, had no right to levy bathing fee from the pilgrims. Local residents and pilgrims visiting the temple have long been demanding steps to conserve the pond and provide basic amenities.

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