CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has directed the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) and the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) to file their responses regarding the construction of a stormwater drain over a sewage channel in Ambattur.
The case arose from the petition filed over inaction regarding a stormwater drain being built over an existing sewage channel.
In Ambattur West, at Balaji Nagar Extension, Thendral Nagar 3rd Street, a stormwater drain was constructed in 2021. Residents of the area had earlier questioned the authorities about the construction of a stormwater drain over an existing sewage channel, to which the officials concerned had assured that appropriate corrective measures would be taken.
However, no action was taken thereafter, resulting in rainwater mixing with sewage and flowing into the Puzhal Lake, causing pollution.
In addition, sewage from some households was being discharged into the stormwater drain, and garbage accumulation led to severe mosquito breeding in the entire locality.
Despite complaints submitted to the city Corporation and the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, no remedial action was taken. Aggrieved by this, Advocate VS Suresh from Ambattur Kallikuppam filed a writ petition before the High Court.
After hearing the petition, Justice V Lakshminarayan directed the Metro Water Board and Chennai Corporation to submit their Counter detailing the action taken on the petitioner’s complaint and adjourned the matter for further hearing.