Tamil Nadu - Chennai   

Royapuram residents complain of choking air

— Photo: V. Ganesan

SOURCE OF TROUBLE: Iron ore dust being carried at the Madras harbour causes breathing difficulties for residents of Royapuram.

CHENNAI: Proximity to the Madras Harbour has been the main cause of breathing-related problems for Royapuram residents for several years now.

Plagued by pollution from dumping of coal and iron ore powder at the Harbour and white stone powder dust near the goods train railway line beneath the old Royapuram bridge, the residents have been trying to draw the attention of the authorities concerned through letters and protests.

General Manager of the M.V. Hospital for Diabetics Pradeep Kumar said that the problem was so severe that a good number of staff complained of chest congestion and allergies.

“We had to recently paint our hospital green as the earlier colour had turned red due to iron ore dust.” Residents also complained that a layer of red can be seen over boiled milk.

At a flour mill nearby, several consignments of wheat flour meant for export had to be condemned. The construction of a compound wall or watering the iron ore and coal dust mounds by the Port Trust authorities has not helped.

Once the hub of English life during British India, there are still a number of Anglo-Indian and Parsi families living in the place, known for its peaceful environs earlier. Residents used to sip their evening tea in the open or take a stroll in the cool evening breeze from the Bay of Bengal. But reality is different on the stretch from the Clive Battery to Kasimedu Fishing harbour.

Dr. P. Ramakrishnan, who was attending to patients at the mobile medical van of the Isha Foundation at the East Mada Church Road, said that of the 200 patients he had seen in Royapuram, most of them complained of common cold, cough, allergic dermatitis and asthma. “The reason is the dust allergy caused by the coal dust which we treat with a combination of allopathic and Indian medicine,” he said.

In January 2003, around 10,000 residents, including 5,000 students from the local schools, raised the issue in one voice.

The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and the Chennai Port Trust have maintained that water was sprinkled on the wagons and the streets were washed, but residents feel that this has not curtailed the problem.

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