The Tambaram Corporation in Chennai has taken a strong stance against illegal dumping of sewage, garbage, and construction debris. Over the last four months, they have collected over 2 lakh rupees in fines from 63 lorries caught dumping waste on open lands and in water bodies.
Two dedicated flying squads, each comprised of three officials, patrol the area two to three times a day to catch these violators. “The Porur bypass service road is a notorious hotspot for illegal sewage discharge,” remarked Dr. Arul Anand, the city health officer of Tambaram Corporation.
In response to the widespread problem of illegal sewage discharge in Chennai and its suburbs, Tambaram Corporation has taken several proactive measures. They have licensed 51 out of 52 private sewage tankers and mandated the installation of GPS tracking devices to monitor their movements. An unlicensed lorry was slapped with a hefty fine of 50,000 rupees.
The corporation commissioner, S. Balachander, highlighted that many of these illegal dumping incidents occur outside corporation limits. For instance, last month, an illegal sewage tanker (TN 30 Y 2585) was spotted dumping sewage into a drain along the Vandalur-Minjur Outer Ring Road near the Vandalur railway track, a location outside Tambaram Corporation’s jurisdiction. The Anakaputhur-Pammal stretch along the Adyar river is another notorious area for illegal sewage discharge.
Balachander further explained that sewage tankers can legally discharge their load at the 30MLD sewage treatment plant in Kannadapalayam between 6 am and 10 pm. They are charged 200 rupees for a 6kL load and 300 rupees for loads exceeding 6kL. The corporation’s relentless efforts to curb illegal dumping underscore its commitment to protecting the environment and ensuring public health.
