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Sewage Flood: Srirangam River Polluted, Plant Defunct
7 Jun
Summary
- Defunct sewage plant discharges untreated waste into Kollidam river.
- Plant, costing ₹1.33 crore, was designed to treat two million litres daily.
- Untreated sewage poses health risks and impacts livelihoods.
The first decentralized onsite sewage treatment plant in Srirangam, near Yatri Nivas, has been non-functional for nearly two years, leading to untreated wastewater discharge into the Kollidam river. Constructed by the Tiruchi Corporation starting February 2023 at an estimated cost of ₹1.33 crore, the plant was designed to process two million litres of sewage daily from Srirangam and Thiruvanaikoil.
Despite initial trial runs indicating neutral pH levels in treated water, the plant's commissioning was delayed and its operation ceased after the maintenance contract ended. Officials cite pending maintenance approvals as the reason for its continued dormancy.
The continuous release of untreated sewage violates National Green Tribunal directives and pollutes the Kollidam. This contamination poses health risks to bathers and negatively affects the livelihoods of washermen and farmers who rely on the river. Residents have made multiple representations to authorities for immediate action.
Corporation officials are awaiting necessary approvals to resume the plant's operations. The facility was planned to manage increasing wastewater volumes for the next two decades and protect groundwater sources.
