Residents protest construction of sewage pumping stn

Coimbatore: Residents of Arputha Nagar near Konavaikalpalayam here on Monday staged a protest condemning the Tamil Nadu Water and Drainage Board (TWAD) for constructing a sewage pumping station on an Open Space Reserved (OSR) land.
About 84-cent site was earmarked as park site as per the DTCP approval, residents said. After installing children play equipment, around 90 families in the area have been using the site for years.
A John Jorlin, a resident, said they raised objections when the board had informed them about their plan to construct a sewage pumping station at the site. Then, there was no communication from the board about it, but they had been carrying about pipeline laying works in the surrounding areas, he said.
“About a couple of days ago, cleaning work was carried out at the site. When inquired, we were told that board is planning to begin construction work there,” he said.
Pointing out that a deep pit would be dug up in the station, Jorlin said any leakage in the pit would contaminate underground water. Several houses would be located around the station, how could families reside amid the foul smell emanating from it, he asked.
“As per the Madras high court directions, OSR sites should be used only for its earmarked purpose,” he said.
Meanwhile, a source privy to the project said, “As pumping is a continuous process and it takes place every three minutes, sewage would not be stored at the station. It would be sent to treatment plant continuously. To prevent foul smell, odour controlling device will be installed.”
Location to construct the pumping station was chosen after studying the topography of the area, the source added. TWAD officials are not available for a comment.