A rights panel steps in to address alleged contamination of well water near a temple

Inspections revealed several violations, including inadequate dust measures, improper storage and disposal of construction waste, and excessive noise levels. | Photo credit: RAMAKRISHNA G

A solution to the alleged contamination of well water near the Thiruvarinikkulam Devi temple during the 10-day Nadathurappu festival, attended by thousands of people every year, appears to be in sight thanks to the intervention of State Human Rights Commission chairman Alexander Thomas.

The State Pollution Control Board (PCB) and temple committee officials have assured the Commission that the water contamination problem will be solved permanently once the new sewage treatment plant is commissioned at the temple.

The commission directed the Sreemoolanagaram panchayat secretary to submit a report after testing a sample of well water from the vicinity of the temple once the treatment plant is commissioned. The directive was issued on a petition filed by Sujikumar, a resident living about 300 meters from the temple entrance, who alleged that the water in his well became polluted during the temple festival.

The Sub-Collector of Kochi submitted a report to the Commission informing that the Kochi Devaswom Board, PCB and Sreemoolanagaram panchayat have been instructed to take emergency measures.

The report said that a sewage tank with a capacity of 6 million liters has been constructed. The PCB directed the temple to use the treated water for agricultural purposes. It also said that the new plant will only be allowed to operate in accordance with the board’s instructions. The 2026 festival will serve as a full-scale test to assess the plant’s effectiveness.

The case will be discussed further at the Commission meeting in September. The petitioner, environmental engineer and panchayat secretary were asked to appear.

Published – 8 Jul 2025 19:12 IST