Residents of Pammal formed a human chain to highlight issues ignored by government agencies and demanded solution at the earliest. Residents of Sankar Nagar, VOC Nagar, Adam Nagar and Moovendar Nagar participated in the protest. The neighbourhood consists of more than 1,700 households. Mariappan, one of the residents, said “In 2016, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) issued a notice to close stone-crusher units in the locality. However, still a considerable number of such units operate in the neighbourhood, causing a lot of pollution. Earlier, there were 54 crusher units even when there was no quarrying work in progress, in and around the locality. Now, 22 crusher units continue to operate and authorities are turning deaf ear to the closure orders. At least, they should check if these units are functioning with a valid license.”
Water channel
A water channel that once prevented the area from flooding was closed and a road laid over it. Residents allege that the Pammal Municipality has closed ‘Nattu Kaalvai’ for benefiting private builders and this led to flooding of sewage-mixed-rainwater to stagnate on a private land at 32nd Street. “In 2016, the residential colony was flooded as the water channel was closed. At least, there should be an alternative outlet,” Mariappan added.
Residents also demanded that the space allocated for developing a park at 41st Street should be used for the specific purpose. Towards this end, they have redesign the walls constructed around the space. “We came to know that the municipality is planning a micro composting plant in the place. The plan should be dropped at once as it would affect the environment,” Mariappan added.
Residents also complained about encroachments on West and North Main Roads and the failure of local body in removing the encroachments.
