A private sewage tanker was caught red-handed on Sunday morning dumping raw sewage into a drain connected to the Cooum River in Chennai. The incident, witnessed by a motorist, exemplifies the persistent problem of illegal sewage disposal in the city, despite recent crackdowns by authorities.
The tanker, identified as TN 12 Y 6355, was spotted on the Maduravoyal Bypass Link Road, dumping sewage near the border of Greater Chennai Corporation and Thiruverkadu municipality. When a motorist from Nolambur, Ram S, began filming the illegal act, the tanker’s cleaner quickly closed the pipe and fled the scene. This incident is not an isolated case; residents report that five to six tankers illegally dump sewage in the area daily, evading authorities.
Just last week, Metrowater’s flying squad caught five private sewage tankers for illegally discharging waste into the Buckingham Canal. Their permits were suspended, and fines were imposed. However, Metrowater’s jurisdiction is limited to GCC areas, leaving enforcement in Thiruverkadu municipality to local bodies. Metrowater managing director TG Vinay acknowledged the limitations, stating that the area outside GCC limits falls under the jurisdiction of local authorities and they must take action.
Despite attempts to reach him, Tiruvallur district collector T Prabhushankar, under whose authority Thiruverkadu municipality falls, did not respond. The Maduravoyal Bypass has been a hotspot for sewage dumping for over a decade, even as the government has invested over 500.5 crore between 2015 and 2023 to restore the Cooum River.
The illegal dumping practices raise concerns about the effectiveness of enforcement and the loopholes exploited by these tanker owners. Ram S, the motorist who captured the incident, commented on the clever tactics used by the tanker owners to avoid detection, dumping sewage in quick bursts and avoiding dumping together to evade attention.
Even when these tankers carry sewage from GCC areas, they exploit jurisdictional loopholes by dumping waste outside GCC limits. “How do we know where the sewage is from?” asked Vinay, highlighting the challenge of tracing the origin of the waste.
Upon being briefed about the incident, municipal administration and water supply secretary D Karthikeyan said action would be taken soon. TNPCB, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, has the authority to penalize offenders under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, with fines up to 15 lakh and imprisonment. TNPCB member secretary R Kannan stated that they would push local bodies to take action, despite limited manpower.
However, local panchayats have been reluctant to act, prompting accusations of political motivations behind the lack of enforcement. Jayaram Venkatesan, convenor of Arappor Iyakkam, a non-governmental organization, expressed his belief that political backing is protecting these tanker owners, urging the government to confiscate the lorries. He has filed numerous complaints against illegal sewage discharge in Maduravoyal.
This incident highlights the persistent challenge of illegal sewage dumping in Chennai, despite government efforts and regulations. The lack of effective enforcement and the exploitation of jurisdictional loopholes create a breeding ground for such practices, jeopardizing the environment and public health. Strong action from local authorities and the government is necessary to address this critical issue and protect the city’s natural resources.
