Sithalapakkam residents complain of sewage being let out on vast, open land

Sewage from tanker lorries that have has been let out on an open space in Sithalapakkam. A part of the open space is owned by a person and the rest, by the panchayat.
| Photo Credit: R. Ravindran

For the residents of Sithalapakkam panchayat in south Chennai, the main problem for a while now has been a civic issue that runs deep, literally – untreated sewage being dumped on a vast open space in their area.

“We cannot use the water from our bore wells. It has a strong stench. Several houses have this problem. If the underground water is spoilt, will the government give us compensation? Since we have a panchayat water connection, we are able to manage,” Selvan, a resident of Valluvar Nagar, said. 

Tanker lorries have been emptying sewage on the plot for nearly 10 years now. “We have complained to the panchayat a few times, and warned the lorry drivers not to empty sewage out on the open land. It stops for some time, but then they just come back to this spot. There is no way for the water to flow out. Two water companies too let out their reject water and untreated sewage at the same place. The government catches lorries whose permits have expired but not these trucks, which do not go to designated sewage treatment plants,” said Sarath, a resident. 

A part of the open space is owned by a person and the rest, by the panchayat. “There is no compound wall between these parcels of land. It looks green with algae, and has a terrible stench,” Mr. Selvan added. 

When this reporter tried to contact the owner of the land, measuring about 70 cents, a friend of the family explained that the land was under litigation and the court had directed that it be surveyed and measured. “With so much water and sewage lying around, they are unable to conduct a survey. The family now wants to approach the court seeking to dump some building debris there so that the land can at least be measured,” he added. 

Sithalapakkam panchayat president Ravi said that he had warned those who were dumping the sewage. “They did it only once unknowingly, and have not done it after I warned them,” he claimed.

Activist P. Viswanathan said instances of untreated sewage being let out into waterbodies and open grounds were being seen in several places in south Chennai. “In Pallavaram, due to the lack of an STP [Sewage Treatment Plant], raw sewage is being let into the Sembakkam lake. Over the last 20 years, localities such as Ottiyambakkam, Perumbakkam, Koilambakkam, Vengaivasal and Sithalapakkam have grown with streets [having been] laid and water supply provided; but [they] lack underground sewage systems, which is the main reason for such illegal activities. Many localities still remain a part of panchayat unions, which do not have the funds to lay underground lines. The CMDA and the MAWS Department should ensure fast-paced development in these areas too,” he added.