T’puram: Unchecked discharge of sewage from restaurants and resorts operating along Varkala cliff has emerged as a serious public health and environmental concern, with residents alleging that violations became widespread and routine.According to locals, several establishments on the cliff top allegedly pump out sewage during night hours through pipes laid directly downhill towards the shore. The waste reportedly accumulates along main beach before mixing with seawater, leading to a foul odour and raising concerns about possible skin infections among tourists and locals who bathe in the sea. Residents said sewage flowing down the slope settles at specific points on the beach. Cleaning workers are frequently deployed to the affected areas, and bleaching powder is spread to contain the stench. However, they said the measures provide only temporary relief. Large stretches of the beach have reportedly become unpleasant for visitors, affecting tourism in the area. An official of Varkala municipality said the issue is compounded by indiscriminate dumping of solid waste, including plastic, along the slopes, which has not been effectively curbed. The absence of a dedicated sewage treatment facility for cliff area has aggravated the situation, particularly in North Cliff region that houses several resorts and restaurants. Sources said some establishments allegedly avoid high cost of periodic septic tank cleaning by installing illegal pipelines to discharge waste downhill. Municipality chairperson Geetha Hemachandran said inspections would be stepped up in the coming days. “Inspections will be conducted at resorts and restaurants operating near the cliff and strict action will be taken if any violation related to waste disposal is found,” she said. She added that several surveillance cameras installed in the area by tourism department had been damaged or stolen. Cameras would be installed to monitor waste dumping and identify violators, she said.
