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In an unprecedented move, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) has been instructed to launch criminal proceedings against apartment blocks in Padur, close to the Muttukadu backwaters, due to severe breaches of environmental regulations. This directive was issued by the Chengalpattu district collector, following deliberations at the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
The case came to light after a local inhabitant, Meiyappan, lodged a complaint with the tribunal about the improper disposal of waste and sewage into the sensitive backwater estuaries. He provided photographic evidence of garbage being incinerated within the environmentally delicate region. In response to this grievance, an investigative committee was convened.
The panel found out that over the past decade, Padur has experienced a dramatic population surge due to the construction of several high-rise buildings. However, the area lacks a common sewage treatment plant (STP) and a well-implemented solid waste disposal strategy. Consequently, the local village panchayat has been disposing of the generated waste into the backwaters and a local graveyard. Government estimates suggest that approximately 100 metric tonnes of waste have been discarded in these areas.
In August 2022, the district collector was urged to pinpoint a suitable location for solid waste treatment, equipped with bio-mining and bio-composting facilities. Although the local block development officer reported to the NGT in December 2022 that about 80% of the accumulated waste had been moved to a landfill in Kattankulathur, the tribunal noted a lack of information about the current waste management practices in the locality. This discrepancy led to the TNPCB being ordered to reinspect the site and provide a detailed report.
The TNPCB's follow-up inspection revealed that several apartments had set up STPs without obtaining the necessary permissions, and that tankers were still illicitly discharging sewage into water bodies. As a consequence, legal proceedings under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act are set to be initiated against the perpetrators. In addition, the apartment owners have been instructed to pay a penalty of 81.9 lakh for causing environmental harm.
In an attempt to mitigate further damage, Padur panchayat authorities have held discussions with apartment owners, occupants, and residents' welfare associations, seeking their assistance to curb the unlawful waste disposal. They have proposed the creation of a register of all tankers that collect sewage from individual septic tanks.
In conclusion, this instance serves as a stark reminder of the environmental consequences of unchecked urban growth. It underscores the need for effective waste management systems and stringent compliance with environmental regulations. It is hoped that these legal actions will serve as a deterrent to similar violations in the future, prompting a more sustainable approach to urban development.
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