Tension prevailed in areas along the Kosasthalaiyar in Pallipattu taluk, Tiruvallur district, a few days ago as a tanker load of liquid suspected to be industrial chemical was dumped along the river bed and a fire was noticed at the spot.
Amid growing concern among villagers about river pollution, the dumped chemical was covered with sand to temporarily prevent fire or smoke emanating from it. Sources in the Water Resources Department said the site along Kosasthalaiyar river near Karimbedu village, Pallipattu, was only a few kilometres from Sathravada and Ekambarakuppam villages in Andhra Pradesh.
K.M. Ravi, former panchayat president, Kumaramangalam, said villagers noticed a fire along the river bed a few days ago. It was cleared using an excavator, after official inspection. He alleged that industries, including fabric dyeing units, could have dumped the chemical from Andhra Pradesh.
He suggested that the WRD must build retaining walls to shut easy access to the river bed as done in other portions of the waterway.
Meanwhile, officials from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, who visited the spot, lifted samples and sent them to their laboratory for tests.
The chemical, which had a high temperature, was cooled and sent f to the hazardous waste disposal facility in Gummidipoondi, where samples would be lifted again and tests would be done.
