Radhakrishnan Kuttoor ARANMULA: The dumping of huge quantity of waste generated at the Oottupura of Sree Parthasarathy Temple here on the banks of the Pampa and the liquid waste flowing directly into the river have been causing pollution of the river. The pollution status of the river has gone up considerably with the beginning of the festival season of Vallasadya, ritualistic feast given to oarsmen of snakeboats, at the temple. An average of three Vallasadyas take place at the temple every day during the period, according to temple authorities. The situation is more alarming as the Travancore Devaswom Board, custodian of the temple, has been drawing water directly from the river for the use at the temple, the Oottupura and the kitchen. An expert team attached to Sate Pollution Control Board (PCB) inspected the river banks and the drainage on Wednesday following complaints from local MLA K. Sivadasan Nair. District Environmental Engineer Paulus Eapen, Assistant Environmental Scientist P. Sreekantan Nair and Assistant Scientist Shibu Jacob Chandy inspected the affected area and observed that the drainage from the Oottupura empties out into the water intake point of the TDB pump house. Untreated river water is being supplied to the temple, the Oottupura and the kitchen in violation of the prevailing rules. Mr. Eapen said the PCB had directed the TDB authorities to ensure safe disposal of waste generated at the temple Oottupura and kitchen. The inspection report has been sent to the PCB headquarters for further action. Meanwhile, the PCB Member Secretary, S.D. Jeyaprasad, said that the board has taken the matter in all its seriousness and notice would be served on the TDB, directing the Board to take measures for scientific waste disposal at Aranmula in the next three days.