Chennai: Power station keeps residents in fear

Chennai: Enough studies and inspections have been done, but there is no lasting solution for villagers living in the vicinity of the North Chennai Thermal Power Station, as it emits toxic coal fly, fly ash and effluents. The approaching northeast monsoon has instilled a sense of fear among residents, who say that all water bodies

located near the plant have been polluted. Worse still, residents also lamented that the plants have destroyed the groundwater table and they are getting drinking water by spending money. Moreover, since the place where such plants are located stinks, they find it difficult to reside in the village,

Residents living in Kattupakkam, Athipattu, Ernavur and Mugathwara Kuppam villages pointed their fingers at government for not formulating a mechanism to let out effluents safely. Large quantities of fly ash have silted the water bodies, as officials failed to transport fly ash for discharging it.

The situation has not spared fishermen too, as fishing activities have been affected. S. Bharathi, president of the South India Fishermen Association said, “There is a guideline which states that coal fly should not be disposed off on barren land and water-bodies. Even though the plant administration has a separate place for disposing such coal ash in large quantities, the place is not maintained well.”

Effluents are mixing in the Ennore creek and fish are dying near the plant, he noted.Villagers said that the plants are posing a big threat to their livelihood. K. Manikandan, a resident of Athipattu recounted, “All the villages surrounding the plants decades ago were neat and clean. The water quality was good and there was no contamination. We breathed fresh air. Things gradually reversed after these plants commenced.” Despite repeated complaints, government did not pay attention, he added.

Another resident said, “We are living in fear. No official has visited us. Many come to this place in the name of inspection and collect water samples. They ask our grievances but there is no solution.”

Environmentalists are also raising their voices. “There should be a comprehensive study and local people should be involved in this. Fly ash and other kind of effluents affect the ground water table. Thermal power plants are important for power supply, but they should not affect the livelihood of people living nearby,” said a city-based environmentalist.

When contacted, an official of the environmental department said that they were closely monitoring the plants. “There is no need for panic and plants are regularly checked to know lapses. We are also visiting local people.

We will apply corrective measures to dispose coal fly properly and guidelines will properly be followed,” the official said, adding that they would soon conduct a public hearing.