Sivan Temple tank parapet collapses in Thoothukudi

Even as renovation of the Sivan Temple tank in the city is going on, the walkers’ path on the southern side of the waterbody sank for about six feet and the abutting parapet collapsed on Wednesday night.

As the temple tank located in the heart of the city remained neglected for several years, the Corporation started renovation of the tank at a cost of ₹75 lakh with laying granite tiles on the walkers’ path around the waterbody and installing fountains. After the granite tiles were laid on the walkers’ path around the tank, the badly polluted water was being pumped out so that the tank can be filled with fresh water for the float festival to be held in the Tamil month of ‘Thai’.

Even as the work was going on, a portion of the pathway on which the granite tiles were laid on the southern side of the tank sank on Wednesday night, triggering the collapse of the adjoining parapet. The basement of the two nearby transformers also sank.

On getting information, Mayor Jegan Periyasamy visited the spot in the night, and the power supply to the gradually collapsing transformers was stopped as a precautionary measure. After the stability of the transformers were confirmed, power supply was restored.

Minister for Social Welfare P. Geetha Jeevan, who visited the tank on Thursday, assured that the waterbody would be renovated without changing its heritage.

After visiting the tank again on Thursday, Mr. Jegan said rainwater harvesting structures on the southern and the northern sides of the tank weakened after the soil under them had gradually caved in.

“Hence, the parapet wall suffered damage. The tank will be beautified without its ancientness being altered,” Mr. Jegan said.

As the fish in the tank died due to serious pollution, the dead fish were removed and sent to Fisheries College and Research Institute for analysis to determine the reason for the mass death.

Moreover, steps have been taken to hand over five turtles found in the tank to the Forest Department to be released in a waterbody inside some reserve forest.