Chromium effluents cause of concern to people of Arakkonam constituency

VELLORE: For more than two decades, the people living around the SIPCOT in Ranipet, that falls under the Arakkonam Lok Sabha constituency are gripped by constant fear of the adverse impact of chromium bearing effluents piled up in the abandoned premises of Tamil Nadu Chromates and Chemicals Limited.

The toxic effluents, with carcinogens, were not treated before dumping in the premises of TCCL. Whenever there is rain, the effluents flow onto water bodies, further contaminating the already polluted water.

The soil and water bore the brunt of the chromium bearing effluents rendering about 600 acres of agricultural land into uncultivable leaving the farmers in tears.

“Twenty villages located around the factory are badly affected by the chromium effluents,” said LC Mani, a farmers' leader, who stays at Lalapet, near TCCL.

He added, “Five major lakes, including Thandalam and Manianpattu, have been contaminated so much so that the water can't be used for any purposes.” Even cattle had died after drinking the water in the lakes, he recalled.

Several representations were made to the Central and State government departments and agencies but of no avail.

“We have been battling with the adverse impact of the chromium waste every day. So many petitions were submitted to the concerned authorities of Centre and State government. But so far they haven't taken any steps to safely dispose of the wastes,” another activist said.

The shutters of the TCCL were pulled down in1995, the management left the effluents in the premises without treating them or safely dispose them at a far off place.

It has contributed to the branding of Ranipet one of the worst polluted places in the global list. It comes under the red category as far as pollution is concerned.

Top officials of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) would visit the spot whenever there arises any problems and assure the local people of speedy action to remove them, but no action follows.

“Recently the chairman of CPCB visited the spot to hold inspection. The officer assured of expediting steps to remove the toxic wastes but no action has been taken so far,” lamented Mani, who is district secretary of Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam.

With the water being highly contaminated, the local residents have to scurry for collecting water from far off places or else they have to burn their pockets to pay for purchasing.

When asked, a senior official of the SIPCOT told Express, “The CPCB and TNPCB are seriously looking into the issue. They have already worked out a scheme to remove the chromium bearing effluents. Necessary action will follow soon.”

The affected people raise the issue during every election, candidates and party leaders promise them of action, but seems to throw their words in the wind.