On Monday, residents of Solomon’s Apartment in Kerala, Thrissur were rather displeased seeing a cocktail of beer, rum, brandy and whisky gushing out from the taps in their apartment. 18 resident families of the apartment complex had a continuous flow of booze through their taps, making life difficult, as nothing could be prepared in the kitchen and children couldn’t go to schools.
At first, the families thought that they alone were witnessing this phenomenon, however, after having checked with each other, they were surprised to learn that all the families had booze substituting water through their taps. This triggered complaints by the residents to Chalakudy Municipal Secretary and the Kerala home department. Soon, the cause of this unusual occurrence was known.
Six years ago, the Excise Department had ceased 6000 litres of liquor, and eversince, was having issues disposing the same. Following a court order, the department was granted permission to dispose the ceased liquor, as a result of which, a pit was dug up in close proximity of a well from which the residents of Solomon’s Apartments drew water. The officials, unaware of the presence of a water supply well nearby, began the process of disposing the liquor bottles, which involved opening them and then emptying them in the pit. The process took six hours to complete.
What was not factored in by the officials was the fact that the alcohol would seep below and mix with the water of the supply well, creating a pungent cocktail. Deputy excise commissioner T.K. Sanu has been quoted as saying: “These bottles had been seized from bars whose licenses had been cancelled six years ago. We couldn’t have known that our operation would raise such a stink.” Chalakudy municipality ward councillor V.J. Joji has been quoted saying that alternative water-supply arrangements have been made for the affected families. “These families had been using water from the contaminated well for several years. It was their only water source.”
While for some such a scenario would probably call for unlimited partying, in reality, a free flow of alcohol through the taps of families disrupted their normal life and caused unnecessary and totally avoidable problems. The excise department should have had the basic understanding that disposing six year old alcohol near a residential area may have hazardous consequences for the people living near by. A free flow of booze is good to hear, but must certainly not be allowed to become a reality, especially through household taps.
