NGT notices to WRD on Chembarambakkam lake pollution

CHENNAI: The southern bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to the Water Resources Department (WRD) and Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) on letting of sewage into Chembarambakkam Lake, which is one of the drinking water sources for the city.

Taking a suo motu case based on news reports, the bench comprising judicial member Pushpa Sathyanarayana and expert member Satyagopal Korlapati also directed the SIPCOT Irungattukottai Manufacturers Association to file their reply before the next hearing scheduled on July 14.

As per the news reports, sewage water from nearby residential areas and the Irungattukottai SIPCOT is entering the lake through canals thus polluting it.

Besides taking up the Chembarambakkam lake issue, the Tribunal also issued notices to the Department of Municipal Administration and Water Supply (MAWS department), TNPCB, and Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) about persisting issues in handling garbage in the city and reclamation of Perungudi and Kodungaiyur dumping yards.

It may be noted that the civic body has proposed a waste-to-energy incineration plant in Kodungaiyur which the residents are opposing.

Separate notices have been issued to the Department of Municipal Administration and Water Supply and the State pollution control board concerning garbage dumping near a temple in Kattupakkam near Poonamallee. The authorities have been directed to file their replies before July 15.