Date:30/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/30/stories/2008113058140200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Diversion of stagnant rainwater affects industrial units

Aloysius Xavier Lopez

— Photo: M.Vedhan

Big blow: Units in Ponniamman Nagar at Ayanambakkam remain closed after stagnant rain water was diverted to the area.

CHENNAI: Around 20 industrial units in Ponniamman Nagar, Thiruverkadu, a western suburb of the city, were severely affected on Saturday after a group of residents living in the nearby localities allegedly diverted stagnant rainwater.

“The residents did not inform us before diverting the water by damaging the approach road to the village. It will take months for the water to drain as this is a low-lying area,” said B. Anandan, owner of one of units. “Water has submerged the industrial units making it impossible to reach the units. The affected industrial units may be forced to suspend operations. It may take four months for the operations to resume,” said M.G.N. Shenoy, president, Ayanambakkam Industrial Development Association. The loss to the units, which together employed around 400 persons, could run into several crore rupees.

“As the residents were worried about the increasing water level on Friday night, some of them damaged the road to let the water in the industrial area nearby,” said R. Jeyasudha, councillor, Thiruverkadu Municipality.

The small-scale units include pharmaceutical, chemical and engineering units. Most of those employed by the units are residents of the neighbouring areas. The unit-holders want government authorities to take steps to drain the water at the earliest and help the units to resume operation. Some of them said that they would be unable to repay the loans taken from the bank if government failed to take quick action to drain the water and prevent further problems. The recent rain has wreaked havoc on the Ambattur Industrial Estate, too. Around 400 units have been affected by water-logging. “The condition has been severe in the north phase. The industrial units face the threat of remaining closed for a week,” said R. Sridharan, vice-president, Ambattur Industrial Manufacturers’ Association.

The units that managed to function were also not able to tap their full potential as most of the employees were unable to turn up on account of the severe rain. “The production loss for the industries in November will be around 20 per cent,” said Mr. Sridharan.