Sans STP, sewage discharge into Cooum river continues

The PWD officials point out that many plans under the Cooum restoration project like setting up Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) and plugging sewage are yet to be started, and that unless they are completed, all their efforts would go in vain.

“We have cleaned the garbage in the river, but still the sewage is being let into the river. The Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) has the responsibility to stop sewage entering into the river by setting up Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in the waterbody,” said S Kavitha, Assistant Engineer, PWD.

“The river desilting work is completed. We are yet to remove the left-over sand near the riverbed as only when the sewage is controlled, the restoration work will be completed. We will desilt the river again once the STP is installed,” she added.

Officials claim that the river is being cleaned every week and they ensure that there is no garbage being dumped by the residents. However, since sewage is being entered into the river, it is still polluted. The government has allotted a total cost of Rs 2,372 crore to set up STP at Adyar river, and Cooum river but CMWSSB is yet tobegin work.

“The work for installing STP is in process at three points under the Cooum restoration project. Recently, the tender for STP was passed and we will soon start the work,” said K Madurainayagam, Engineering Director, CMWSSB.