We all are aware about the recent disastrous rains in Chennai during the month of Nov-Dec 2015. Followed by that, I expect epidemic issues in Chennai. It should be noted that Dumping of garbage in the heart of the Pallikaranai Marshland (Perungudi Dumping Yard in official parlance) and letting out of untreated sewage from different sources into the Buckingham Canal have resulted in an irreversible damage to the quality of sub-surface water in residential localities of the fast developing Thoraipakkam, Velachery and Perungudi. Nearly half-a-dozen localities in Thoraipakkam, press persons found and published that water drawn from domestic and deep bore wells in Thoraipakkam was orange in color and accompanied by a pungent, foul smell. Also frequent fire incidents have occurred in the past, due to which toxic gases shrouded the residents.  

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) in Aug 2013, made clear its intentions of putting an end to arbitrary garbage dumping in Tamil Nadu clear and said it would want to evolve a comprehensive scheme to deal with the menace. But no visible action is seen till date. Environmentalists fear that the problem is fast heading towards an unprecedented catastrophe in this part of Chennai. Quality of water drawn from wells in Thoraipakkam, Velachery and Perungudi, among other adjoining localities, was consistently deteriorating over the past few years. Of late, the residents were forced to depend on water drawn from wells for washing clothes and cleaning utensils. Residential areas in Okkiyam Thoraipakkam, Madipakkam, Pallikaranai, Velachery and Perungudi were the worst affected. In the absence of a complete, safe and protected drinking water supply scheme, even economically weaker sections have to purchase bottled water. Owing to the dumping of garbage, leachates seeped into the sub-surface and entered recharge channels through which groundwater entered the domestic and deep borewells. Leachate was caused by the percolation of waste from garbage dumped on landfill sites. The problem was not restricted to Perungudi or Thoraipakkam, but to far off places, including Muttukadu, through which the Buckingham Canal meandered.

There is an immediate need to putting an end to dumping and burning of garbage and sewage water in Perungudi.  I request the Commissioner of Chennai Corporation to find an immediate solution to this problem. By clearing this area, the residents can breathe some oxygen comfortably and also can have good ground water in long run. Let us save people of Chennai and make Chennai a clean and green city.