A GCC official says civic authorities will check the source of pollution in the canals, and take necessary action to promote public health, in coordination with other agencies.
| Photo Credit: M. VEDHAN

Residents drawing water from open wells and borewells in western parts of the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) have raised complaints of water pollution owing to the discharge of effluents into canals by industries.

Discharge of untreated industrial effluents into canals maintained by the GCC and the Water Resources Department has turned the colour of water in the wells nearby dark, posing health problems for people. When this reporter and a photographer visited Korattur on Thursday, untreated industrial effluents were found in the canal carrying water from Korattur Zero Point to Otteri Nullah. They were released from major industrial premises near Padi flyover. B. Sivakami, a resident of New Gandhi Street, Venkatraman Nagar, TNHB 70th Street, Korattur, said people suffered from skin conditions such as itching, rashes, and burning sensation owing to the water pollution.

“Earlier, skin conditions were minor, but they are getting severe now. Children fall sick; fever and infections are rising,” she added. S. Santhi, another resident, said pollution had been on the rise for almost two years now, and had worsened in the past few days.

“We all depend on wells for water. The water is dark in colour now. Clothes washed in this water smell terrible. The water supplied by the Metrowater is also polluted,” she added. Pointing to effluents discharged from an industrial unit, G. Srinivasan, said that the unit had also been releasing gases in the air.

“We have been residing here since 1973. This used to be a clean neighbourhood. Owing to industrial pollution, the National Green Tribunal had intervened earlier. However, the situation has turned worse today. We request the government to prevent pollution or shift such units to areas away from residential neighbourhoods,” Mr. Srinivasan added.

Ward 84 councillor J. John called for better coordination among government agencies to curb pollution of canals.

“Owing to Metro work, the flow [in the canal] has been blocked. There is a reverse flow. The canals are lined, but the holes in the lining allow seepage [of water] into the ground. Owners of industrial units in Ambattur and Patravakkam have been responsible for the pollution. But they deny it. There seems to be no mechanism to identify and punish those responsible for this. Industrialists reside in safe localities where there is no pollution. They are not concerned about us…,” he added.

A GCC official said civic authorities would check the source of pollution in the canals, and take necessary action to promote public health, in coordination with other agencies such as the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB).

Once the source of pollution is identified, the TNPCB would take action against the units and the GCC would start conducting medical camps to improve public health in such areas, the official added.