Petroleum contamination makes wells unusable at Palloor in Mahe

Residents affected by the contamination of well water allegedly due to the operation of petrol pumps near the Thalassery-Mahe bypass staging a protest in front of the office of the Mahe Regional Administrator. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Residents of Palloor in Mahe adjoining the Thalassery-Mahe bypass are up in arms against petrol pumps operating in densely populated residential areas and six proposed outlets, alleging that petroleum contamination has affected drinking water sources, made wells unusable, and rendered life miserable because of the persistent smell of fuel.

A joint action council has been formed, and hundreds of residents have joined the agitation against the outlets and the Mahe administration, demanding the immediate intervention of the authorities in the matter. The Kerala Shastra Sahitya Parishad (KSSP) has also demanded the closure of pumps violating safety and environmental norms in Ward 11 of Mahe municipality. The affected stretch from Kunhipuramukku in Naluthara to Spinning Mill Road covers around 0.1 square kilometre and has 11 operational pumps.

P.T. Premraj, a Palloor resident and joint action council convener, said the problem became noticeable after an HP petrol pump was shifted to a hilltop around two and a half years ago. A BPCL outlet began operating beside the highway in September, less than 100 metres away.

“The water in a nearby well first developed a chlorine-like smell in January. Later, there was a smell resembling soap and now petrol or diesel,” he said. According to Mr. Premraj, samples collected from six wells near three petrol pumps tested positive for petroleum hydrocarbon. The Health department subsequently issued notices warning residents against using the water for drinking, bathing, or other domestic purposes.

He said a separate set of four well water samples collected by the Revenue department and sent through Puducherry for detailed analysis also indicated contamination, he said.

Twenty litres of drinking water are being supplied to each person daily. But what about bathing, washing, and other household requirements? Even elderly people, patients, pregnant women, and children are forced to depend on alternative arrangements,” he said.

At an October meeting involving the Mahe MLA, political representatives, pump owners, company officials, and residents’ association representatives, it was agreed to supply 1,500 litres of water daily for other domestic needs. However, the supply has not commenced. Though some affected households have received Public Works department connections, they have not been linked to overhead tanks.

A five-member KSSP fact-finding team comprising C.P. Hareendran, N.K. Govindan, and K. Geethanandan visited the area and examined the available reports.

Mr. Hareendran, a KSSP district committee member, said laboratory tests conducted by Puducherry’s Department of Science, Technology and Environment detected total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in four wells.

“The TPH concentration exceeded the permissible limit of 500 micrograms, while the water was highly acidic, with pH values ranging from 4.62 to 5, rendering it unfit for drinking and domestic purposes,” he said.

Mr. Hareendran said the possible source of contamination needed to be scientifically established.

He said the Central Pollution Control Board guidelines issued on the instructions of the National Green Tribunal stipulated a minimum distance of 50 metres between petrol pumps and residential buildings, schools, hospitals, and water sources. A relaxation to 30 metres is permitted only in exceptional circumstances, subject to strict Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation norms. However, some pumps in locality are within five metres of houses and wells.

The KSSP demanded the closure of pumps that violated norms, a ban on the six proposed outlets, action against officials who granted permission in violation of regulations, and a comprehensive scientific investigation, including further water quality and groundwater studies.

The Mahe Regional Administrator was unavailable for comments. Mahe Municipality Commissioner Sreejith also refused to comment on the issue.

Published - November 11, 2026 07:00 am IST