Tamil Nadu: Panthalkudi's Sewage Burden Eased with New Plan to Redirect to Sakkimangalam STP

Untreated sewage water from the Panthalkudi canal flowing into the Vaigai river near the AV bridge in Madurai

Efforts are underway in Tamil Nadu’s Panthalkudi to resolve the growing problem of sewage overflow, with local officials initiating a plan to redirect excess waste to a higher-capacity treatment facility. The Panthalkudi sewage treatment plant (STP), which can handle only 2 million litres per day (MLD), is now being supported by the Sakkimangalam STP that has a much larger capacity of 45 MLD.

According to Corporation Commissioner Chithra Vijayan, the 2-MLD STP in Panthalkudi, located near the canal, had temporarily halted operations due to ongoing Goripalayam flyover construction. However, it has since resumed functioning. To ease the pressure on this plant, the city is setting up a pumping station across the canal, allowing sewage to be diverted via pipelines to the Sakkimangalam STP for processing.

6 MLD to Be Diverted to Sakkimangalam

As per the new plan, around 6 MLD of sewage will be pumped out of the canal directly to Sakkimangalam for treatment, significantly easing the load on the existing smaller facility. The remainder will continue to be treated by the Panthalkudi plant near Meenakshi College.

Activists Raise Red Flags Over Canal Waste

While the sewage diversion plan is a step in the right direction, local activists have voiced concerns about rampant garbage dumping into the canal. Several stretches have reportedly turned into open dumping grounds, worsening environmental and health risks for nearby residents.

Civic groups are urging the Madurai City Corporation to implement stringent cleaning measures and enforce anti-dumping regulations. "The canal cleanup must be as much a priority as sewage diversion," noted one environmental activist.

What’s Next?

The corporation is currently overseeing pipeline installation to complete the diversion project. Once fully operational, the initiative is expected to bring much-needed relief to residents in and around Panthalkudi who have long struggled with sewage overflow and canal pollution.

Still, community leaders stress that long-term success hinges not only on infrastructure upgrades but also on regular maintenance, waste management enforcement, and public cooperation.