In one of the major developments in the neighbourhood, the leather tanners in Pallavaram, are working to lay a 13.5 kilometre-long underground pipeline, to transport treated effluents generated at their industries, to the Perungudi Sewage Treatment Plant.
While the highly debated project has already seen the light of the day, residents have mixed opinions regarding this.
One of the prime identities of Pallavaram, is the presence of a large number of leather tanneries right from the neighbourhood junction.
While the tanneries number about 130, they have turned out to be major causes of pollution, allege residents.
“The project is underway because the tanners over 10-years-old Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) systems aren’t able to successfully convert the harmful effluents into salt crystals. Moreover, their move to discharge the effluents into Adyar River too failed in the recent past, as over two million litres per day (MLD) effluents couldn’t maintain the Total Dissolved Solids (TLD) level of the already sewage-filled river. With no other option at hand, Tamilnadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) has also given a green signal for the Rs 40 crore worth project, after concluding that there is enough garbage at Perungudi Sewage Treatment Plant to mix with the discharge at 4:1 ratio leading to lower TLD value,” say sources.
Environmentalist P Ganapathy, who lives along Pallavaravam Radial Road, said, “When a ZLD itself couldn’t handle the amount of effluents these industries generate, how will they be handled by the treatment plant, which is already posing a health hazard for residents of Perungudi and Thuraipakkam? Not only that, these effluents are highly corrosive in nature and have the capability to leak on their pathway over time. If they do, they will destroy the entire ecosystem of Pallikaranai marshland. So, I strongly object to this project.”
But on the other hand, Hastinapuram resident Mohammed Bilal, said, “If the waste is not taken to the already contaminated Perungudi plant, they have the ability to pollute the Adyar River, which is even worse for the environment. If the chemicals are left as such in the neighbourhood, the place will become unfit for us. So, at this point of time, it’s best to follow what the tanners have planned.”