CHENNAI: The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has stepped up enforcement against residential and commercial buildings illegally discharging sewage into storm water drains (SWDs), warning of fines ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 5 lakh for violators. The illegal connections pose public health risks and obstruct rainwater flow, aggravating waterlogging during the monsoon.

GCC Commissioner G S Sameeran said that legal action would be initiated against those found discharging sewage into SWDs across the city.

In a circular issued to prevent such violations, he directed officials of GCC and Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) to conduct joint inspections to identify and seal illegal connections. The civic body will maintain a registry recording the locations of illegal outlets, property owners or occupiers, inspection findings, blocked connections and fines imposed and collected to ensure follow-up action.

Building owners will also be advised to obtain authorised sewage connections through CMWSSB. Each GCC zonal officer has been directed to appoint a nodal officer to coordinate joint inspections with CMWSSB officials, monitor enforcement and submit regular reports to the Corporation Commissioner. Details of fines collected must also be uploaded immediately to the GCC app.

According to the fines approved through a GCC council resolution, ordinary residential buildings will attract a penalty of Rs 10,000 and ordinary commercial buildings Rs 25,000. The fine will be Rs 50,000 for special residential buildings and Rs 1 lakh for special commercial buildings.

Multi-storey residential buildings will face a penalty of Rs 2 lakh, while commercial multi-storey buildings will attract the maximum fine of Rs 5 lakh.