Chennai city police have apprehended three contractors for illegally disposing of excavated earth from Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) projects onto the sands of Elliot’s Beach. The contractors, identified as Chellapandian from L&T, Sabarinath from ITDC, and Venkadesan, a sub-contractor for ITDC, have been accused of dumping debris along a 150-meter stretch from Oorur Olcott Kuppam to Besant Nagar broken bridge, a section within the beach’s high-tide zone.
The arrests were made following a complaint filed by the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) in July against CMRL for nighttime dumping. An FIR was registered, and investigations were conducted to identify the trucks involved and the specifics of the operation. Ashok Kumar, the GCC assistant executive engineer for Adyar, provided video evidence showcasing trucks with identifiable number plates unloading debris at night.
“CMRL has initiated the process of clearing the debris, and we are closely monitoring the situation. We are also utilizing our machinery to assist with the cleanup,” said Kumar.
In previous CMRL projects, designated land was set aside for debris disposal. However, in the current project, contractors purchased the earth by paying a royalty to CMRL. “Once they acquire the earth, they have the freedom to use or sell it as they deem fit, but dumping it on the beach is strictly forbidden,” explained a CMRL official.
As of Tuesday, approximately 10 meters of the dumped debris had been cleared, and officials stated that the remaining debris would be removed by the end of the month.
GCC commissioner J Kumaragurubaran has instructed CMRL to install GPS trackers on their trucks to prevent unauthorized dumping and ensure better compliance with environmental regulations. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible waste management and the need for stringent measures to protect sensitive coastal environments.
