Residents apprehend vehicle dumping of sludge in open plots in Ranipet

Residents of Edakuppam village near Walajah town in Ranipet blocked a tractor carrying loads of mud for illegal dumping on open lands on Edakuppam Main Road in the village; This posed a health hazard and polluted groundwater.

The village consists of nine neighborhoods where more than 10,000 people live, the majority of whom are small traders, agricultural workers and lower-level government personnel, residents said. The towns of Walajah and Ranipet are closer to the village. Edakuppam village, among other local bodies, also depends on water provided by the civic body through the Tamil Nadu Water and Drainage Board and local water bodies. “Such illegal dumping of mud on open government lands poses health risks to residents. It will also pollute the groundwater on which we depend for agriculture as our livelihood,” said farmer G. Mahesan.

Residents of the neighborhood said that there are several lakes within the borders of the village. Non-governmental organizations around the village illegally dump mud, meat waste and other garbage in open lands near these water bodies. R. Vimala, a resident of the area, said, “During rain, the sludge from the discarded waste mixes with nearby water bodies and pollutes the water used for domestic consumption and irrigation. There are schools, a government hostel and a temple in the area where such garbage is dumped.”

Residents said the village road was used by a large number of motorists, including government buses, ambulances, cars and two-wheelers. Stray dogs and cattle growing on garbage thrown into open fields along the street often cause accidents.

Residents said that apart from contamination of groundwater in the area, dumping of such waste turns lands into mosquito breeding grounds. There has been no regular fogging by the non-governmental organization for months. They also alleged that despite numerous complaints, no action was taken by the non-governmental organization and panchayat union officials against dumping of waste in the village.

Against this backdrop, residents stopped a mud-filled tractor on the road on Thursday. The clogged sewers were cleaned by non-governmental organizations in the area. Neighborhood residents said that such vehicles carrying mud to be dumped in open areas will be confiscated in the future. While there was traffic congestion on the road, police teams arrived at the scene and calmed down the angry citizens and dispersed without incident.