Avadi civic officials in cahoots with sewage tanker operators, allege Oppn

According to Avadi former chairman SM Nasar, the officials swindled more than Rs one crore per month by operating illegal sewage tankers. “To mint money through the contract, officials are delaying house drainage connection to Avadi residents for the past four years. The drainage line works in Avadi were completed four years ago with eight pumping station facilities. But till date, the taxpayers have not been given connection. There is no proper explanation from the municipal officials,” Nasar told DT Next.

According to him, there are at least 13 private tankers in contract with the municipality, paying a nominal fee fixed by the civic to drain septic tanks. “These tankers should pay Rs 200 for each load at the government-run pumping station where sewage is treated. The private operators make around 12 to 15 trips per vehicle per day. But the bill generated in the morning is used for more than a dozen trips,” alleged Nasar.

“This has been going unchecked, as officials are part of the scam that drains about Rs 1.3 crore money per month, which should reach the municipality,” Nasar added.

Residents in Annanur and Avadi said they have paid for drainage connections even before the connections were given. “Residents are waiting for drainage lines for more than five years, depending on private and municipal tankers to clear septic tanks,” said R Sudhakaran, former councillor of ward 14.

Sewage tankers from Poonamallee, Tiruvallur and Kakkalur also come to Annanur pumping station to drain the waste without paying the prescribed fees, he said. “The entire 60 Feet Road and the connecting CTH road have become battered due to the frequent movement of heavy vehicles. Also, the spillage of waste is posing sanitation hazards,” Sudhakaran added.

When asked, police officials said that they have informed the senior municipal officials about the matter. But P Narayanan, Commissioner of Avadi civic body, was not available for comments.