Vijayawada's recurring canal pollution and stagnant stretches have once again sparked concerns among residents as the monsoon season approaches. Complaints of foul smells, mosquitoes, and poor sanitation are rising in canal-side localities, even as civic authorities assert that cleaning and mosquito-control measures are ongoing.
Residents Report Persistent Problems
Residents living near several canal stretches, including parts of Labbipet, report that sewage mixing, plastic waste, garbage accumulation, and poor water flow continue to degrade living conditions. K Mohan, a local resident, stated that foul smells, mosquitoes, and insects have become a persistent issue in the area, with snakes occasionally entering nearby houses. Stagnant water in the Bandaru, Eluru, and Ryves canals has led to an increase in the mosquito menace across Vijayawada.
Recurring Issue Over the Years
Canal pollution, sewage mixing, and sanitation complaints have been recurring problems in Vijayawada for years, particularly during summer and pre-monsoon months when stagnant stretches and waste accumulation become more visible. Officials attribute the problem to multiple factors, including water stagnation, garbage dumping, and flow-related challenges. Civic inputs indicate that Budameru remains a major mosquito-breeding source, while rapid aquatic weed growth, plastic waste, and encroachments further aggravate canal pollution and hinder maintenance efforts.
Mitigation Measures Underway
According to officials, the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) has been implementing mosquito-control and canal-cleaning measures, including drone-based spraying of BT powder and other interventions. However, they maintain that stagnant stretches and waste accumulation continue to pose challenges despite repeated mitigation efforts. Dr Arjuna Rao, Chief Medical Officer of Health, stated that canal cleaning is being undertaken on a priority basis, with sanitation workers performing manual cleaning in stretches where water flow is absent. He noted that irrigation-related regulation of water flow has stopped, while special drives to remove plastic waste and improve sanitation will be intensified after prevailing heatwave conditions ease.
Public Cooperation Essential
Officials stressed that public cooperation remains crucial, stating that indiscriminate dumping of garbage and plastic into canals continues despite repeated awareness campaigns. They emphasized that sustained maintenance and stronger public awareness are essential to curb pollution and prevent mosquito breeding ahead of the June–July period. The VMC urges residents to refrain from dumping waste into canals and to support civic efforts to maintain clean waterways.
About the Author
Vidya Dusi is a Senior Digital Content Creator at The Times of India, Vijayawada. She reports on education, civic issues, and endowments, with an interest in human-interest stories and emerging developments across Andhra Pradesh.
