The Hindu : Flushing operations begin at contamination spot

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Apr 27, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu-Chennai

Flushing operations begin at contamination spot

By Karthik Subramanian

CHENNAI APRIL 26. The Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board officials supervising the restoration of water supply to Pallavaram and adjoining suburban areas following the contamination of pipeline near Padapai have expressed hope that normality will be restored by Sunday.

Senior officials from TWAD and the affected municipalities visited the spot near Padapai where the contamination took place reportedly after a tanker lorry dumped some chemical waste along Mudichur Road. Pipelines to the length of 15 metres have been replaced and flushing operations commenced by Saturday night.

Meanwhile, the water samples lifted from the contaminated spot were tested at the TWAD Board laboratories and the contaminants were reported to be `organic chemical of non-toxic nature'. "The only problem with the water was the stench. It has no other effect on the health", a local official said.

The local residents who were waiting for the supply to resume were anxious, as there was no formal statement from the TWAD Board on the reasons for the sudden stench in the water supplied through pipelines. "It is shocking that the Government has not explained the reasons for stoppage of supply. Several thousand households have been affected and people are curious to find out how contaminants could enter the supply chain", said V. Santhanam, president of Federation of Civic and Welfare Associations of Pallavapuram Municipality.

The residents further demanded that the TWAD table a white paper on the contamination when the local municipal council meets later this month.

Meanwhile, Kancheepuram police said local TWAD Board officials had filed a complaint with the Manimangalam Police, near Padapai. A case has been registered under Section 284 of IPC for "dumping of illegal poisonous chemicals". A special team has been formed to scan the operation of chemical tanker lorries in the region.

Several other reports from local residents along the Mudichur High Road reveal that the frequency of chemical tanker movement was very high in the region. According to some of the locals, tankers from Pammal and Vellore have been regularly dumping chemical waste along the roadside.

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Flushing operations begin at contamination spot