Prevent dumping of waste in Adyar river: tribunal

The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Southern Bench, on Monday, directed the local authority to keep a vigil on Adyar river in order to prevent dumping of any waste. Taking notice of a news report published in The Hindu on September 11 which highlighted the illegal dumping of cement waste into the Adyar, the NGT had granted interim injunction against anyone dumping waste cement/ other waste materials at any point in the course of the river.

It had also directed authorities to file a report on the steps taken by them. The news report described how the river was turning into a dumping site for the cement waste. It also highlighted the fact that tanker drivers from neighbouring areas such as Tiruneermalai and Thirumudivakkam were dumping the cement waste in the early hours.

As per the direction, the executive officer of Thiruneermalai Panchayat Union filed the report on Monday before the Bench comprising its judicial member Justice M. Chockalingam and expert member Prof. R. Nagendran.

The report stated that notices were issued to three ready mix units situated near Thirumudivakkam Panchayat which were dumping cement concrete at the site. After issuing notice, they started removing the cement concrete from the site and the assistant engineer of Public Works Department monitored the same.

Disposing of the matter, the Bench said, “The Tribunal is satisfied that the authority has taken necessary steps since it is a matter connected with ecology and environment. The executive officer is directed to monitor by conducting regular checks on the stretch of the Adyar river in order to prevent dumping cement waste and any other solid or liquid waste.”