Foul stench a constant in Neelankarai
Shruti Suresh | TNN | Dec 25, 2018, 06:35 IST
A temporary bridge built by residents across the polluted canal was damaged by Cyclone Vardah in December 201... Read MoreCHENNAI: Discharge of ‘treated’ sewage from the Perungudi Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) into the Buckingham Canal continues unabated.
When Neelankarai was added to the Greater Chennai Corporation limits, residents of Arignar Anna Nagar thought their woes would end, but nothing much has changed. The stench emanating from the canal, which drains excess floodwater into the ocean, is unbearable, say residents.
“The stink has been persistent for the past ten years. There has been no change since we came under the corporation limits either. Each time we complain, officials visit the place and say only treated sewage is being released. They spirnkle bleaching powder in the area and leave,” said Vinoth Kumar, who lives on second street of Arignar Anna Nagar.
Adding to their woes is the lack of a safe parapet wall. “Three years ago, a kid fell into the canal and died. An old man also died after falling into it while drunk,” said Vinoth. A temporary bridge built across the canal by residents by pooling in money was broken in Cyclone Vardah in December 2016 and remains unusable as it awaits repair. “It would be good if the government takes note of our problems and visit the area,” said another resident.
“The stench from the canal becomes worse after rain. Several sewage and industrial waste outlets drain into the canal,” said Mageswari, who lives by it.
An official at the Perungudi STP said the discharge was let out after secondary treatment but there is still a good level of biological oxygen demand for the released sludge.
“There are effluent and industrial wastes being let into the sewage network due to which the STP’s functioning gets affected as it is a completely biological process. We are working on upgrading the treatment plants to meet the new guidelines by the central pollution control board. After that, the biological oxygen demand level of sludge released will be less than 10mg/L and suspended solid (SS) level will be 10ppm. Other outlets of sewage into the canal must be checked as well for the stench,” said the official.
When Neelankarai was added to the Greater Chennai Corporation limits, residents of Arignar Anna Nagar thought their woes would end, but nothing much has changed. The stench emanating from the canal, which drains excess floodwater into the ocean, is unbearable, say residents.
“The stink has been persistent for the past ten years. There has been no change since we came under the corporation limits either. Each time we complain, officials visit the place and say only treated sewage is being released. They spirnkle bleaching powder in the area and leave,” said Vinoth Kumar, who lives on second street of Arignar Anna Nagar.
Adding to their woes is the lack of a safe parapet wall. “Three years ago, a kid fell into the canal and died. An old man also died after falling into it while drunk,” said Vinoth. A temporary bridge built across the canal by residents by pooling in money was broken in Cyclone Vardah in December 2016 and remains unusable as it awaits repair. “It would be good if the government takes note of our problems and visit the area,” said another resident.
“The stench from the canal becomes worse after rain. Several sewage and industrial waste outlets drain into the canal,” said Mageswari, who lives by it.
An official at the Perungudi STP said the discharge was let out after secondary treatment but there is still a good level of biological oxygen demand for the released sludge.
“There are effluent and industrial wastes being let into the sewage network due to which the STP’s functioning gets affected as it is a completely biological process. We are working on upgrading the treatment plants to meet the new guidelines by the central pollution control board. After that, the biological oxygen demand level of sludge released will be less than 10mg/L and suspended solid (SS) level will be 10ppm. Other outlets of sewage into the canal must be checked as well for the stench,” said the official.
All Comments ()+^ Back to Top
Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive. Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.
HIDE