TANGEDCO told to remove fly ash from Ennore Creek within a week

The case was initiated by Ravivarman from All Ennore Fishing Village Coalition after the TANGEDCO dumped fly ash on 300 acres of the Ennore Creek. The bench comprising Justice P Jyothimani and expert member PS Rao, came down heavily on the TANGEDCO after the applicant’s lawyer Yogeshwaran displayed the videos of the absence of progress made in clearing the fly ash. 

Following this, the bench warned the TANGEDCO that it would be forced to direct the closure of two units of the North Chennai Thermal Power Station (NCTPS). The power major was also directed to submit a detailed report on replacement of old pipes while taking immediate action to plug all leaks in the existing pipes. 

The bench also ordered that action should be initiated against errant officials under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act and Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act. The Tribunal also appointed advocate Lakshmi Narasimhan to oversee the removal of the ash. 

The bench ordered that a committee should be set up to assess the impacts of ash dumping on the mangroves, Buckingham canal as well as the effects on flora, fauna and other vegetation. The committee must include environmental experts, soil specialists and hydrology experts, directed the bench and posted the matter to August 3 for next hearing.