Over 300 fishermen and their families living in the flats along Vizhinjam Harbour Road in Thiruvananthapuram are enduring a severe sanitation crisis. For years, septic tanks have been overflowing, releasing raw sewage into the surrounding areas, forcing residents to walk through human waste every day.

The situation worsens during rain, when sewage mixed with floodwater enters the flats. Residents report repeated skin diseases and other health issues due to constant exposure to contaminated water. Despite multiple complaints to councilors and municipal officials over the years, no lasting solution has been implemented.

The drains in the area are often blocked by encroachments from nearby shops and hotels, which dump oil and waste into the system, causing blockages. The sewage overflow is not limited to the road — it also comes up through the manholes of the septic tanks, filling the premises with an unbearable stench.

Mayor VV Rajesh recently visited the site following media attention. Residents have urged the government and the corporation to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure proper drainage infrastructure. The local Jamaath and community leaders are also involved in discussions, but affected families say they cannot even eat or sleep peacefully in these conditions.

Fishermen who go to sea for work are forced to walk through this waste when returning. Many have fallen ill and cannot afford proper medical care. The community is demanding immediate action and a permanent solution to this long-standing health and sanitation hazard.