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Chennai, Nov 15 (IANS) Nearly a year after three people died and 20 others were hospitalized over allegations of drinking contaminated water from public taps in Tamil Nadu’s Tambaram, the southern bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a series of stringent directions to prevent recurrence of such incidents.
A bench of Justice Pushpa Satyanarayana and expert member Prashant Gargava directed the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) to conduct quarterly water quality audits and systematic inspections to ensure the structural integrity of drinking water pipelines.
The Tribunal emphasized that the preventive framework should be continuously and scientifically monitored to protect public health.
The NGT underlined the demographic and structural stress faced by Tambaram Corporation, which has a population of over 10.11 lakh residents in its 70 wards.
In the notice, the bench said that there has been rapid urbanization in the city, but the development of underground sewerage system (UGSS) and sanitation infrastructure has not kept pace.
Pointing out the existing coverage gap, the tribunal observed that currently only 38 wards out of 70 have underground sewerage networks.
In the remaining areas, households depend on septic tanks and open drains, many of which flow into storm water drains or natural canals. This situation, the bench said, creates a constant threat of cross-contamination – especially in areas where drinking water pipelines and sewer lines run parallel or intersect each other.
Although laboratory tests and post-mortem reports did not conclusively link last year’s deaths to contaminated drinking water, the NGT stressed that systemic weaknesses remained.
“An area with incomplete sewerage coverage and intermittent pipeline maintenance is always at risk,” the bench said, directing officials not to ignore structural deficiencies merely because contamination was not proven.
Under its orders, the tribunal directed the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board (TWAD) to start preparing detailed project reports to extend underground sewerage systems in all the remaining wards.
TWAD has also been asked to submit quarterly progress updates to TNPCB.
The bench directed the state government to timely release the sanctioned funds, expedite UGSS and STP projects, continue community health surveillance, organize health camps and awareness programs in vulnerable neighbourhoods.
Earlier, the Tambaram Corporation had denied that drinking water pollution was responsible for the deaths and said adequate steps were being taken to ensure clean water supply. TNPCB supported the corporation’s stand.
–IANS
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