Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding pollution of Madambakkam lake, Tambaram, Tamil Nadu, 11/11/2024
Order of the National Green Tribunal (Southern Zone, Chennai) in the matter of Tribunal on its own motion SUO MOTU based on the news item in The Indian Express Dt. 03.11.2023 titled “Tamil Nadu Activities Allege drinking water supplied from Madambakkam lake in Tambaram contaminated with sewage, civic body disagrees” Vs Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board 11/11/2024.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in its report on Madambakkam lake mentioned that the sewage generated from the nearby habitats of various colonies is drained into the lake through five channels. It was found that no industrial activity and no industrial wastewater were being discharged into the Madambakkam lake. The water sample analysis results are also given by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB). The TDS is alarmingly high (ranging up to 2000) and other parameters are also exceeding the acceptable limits.
Thus, the CPCB in its report, August 3, 2024 gave suggestions for protection of the lake. One of the suggestion was to delineate the lake area and steps to be taken to construct proper bund with fence wherever necessary, to protect the water body from human intervention to serve the purpose of improving ground water in the surrounding area as well as to meet the drinking water demand of the nearby area/Panchayats. Recommendation were also given for a sewage collection and treatment system for Madambakkam Town Panchayat and not to allow any discharge of domestic sewage/sullage into Madambakkam lake. It should be ensured that there is no encroachment of lake and to clear the accumulated construction and demolition waste from the banks of lake with a time target.
The TNPCB also issued a show cause notice on July 19, 2024 which is yet to be responded to by the Commissioner - Tambaram City Municipal Corporation. Tambaram City Municipal Corporation has also given an action to be taken pursuant to the directions given by the CPCB nor any response to the TNPCB, the court was informed.
The southern bench of the NGT said that if Tambaram City Municipal Corporation fails to submit the action plan and the progress shown reports, then the municipal corporation would have to pay a heavy penalty.