In a growing wave of opposition, the residents of Padmavathi Nagar in Iyyappanthangal, Chennai, have called on the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) to cease the ongoing construction of a pumping station in their locality. The project, which commenced five months ago, has sparked significant concern among the local community, who fear it could lead to serious health and environmental hazards.
The initial construction activities led many residents to believe that the Chennai Corporation was undertaking routine underground sewage connection work for the residential areas. However, it soon became apparent that the project was, in fact, a Metro Water initiative, raising alarm among the residents. The secretary of the Padmavathi Nagar Residents Welfare Association expressed the community’s apprehensions, stating, “We were initially under the impression that this was part of the routine sewage infrastructure development. It was only later that we realised the true nature of the project, and our concerns grew from there.”
Reacting to these developments, the residents swiftly mobilised, filing petitions with the local authorities and the area’s Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA). Their efforts led to a temporary suspension of the project for three months. However, to the dismay of the local community, construction resumed just two days ago, prompting renewed calls for a permanent halt to the work.
The residents have voiced their concerns about the potential repercussions if the construction is allowed to continue. One of the most pressing issues raised is the fear of environmental degradation during the monsoon season, with predictions that the area could become a breeding ground for stench and stagnation of dirty water. The potential contamination of groundwater levels in the vicinity has also been a major point of contention, with residents arguing that the pumping station could severely compromise the quality of the local water supply. A civic activist from Iyyappanthangal underscored the community’s stance, saying, “The potential risks associated with this project are too great. We do not want an infrastructure development that poses a threat to our health and the environment. The local authorities must prioritise the well-being of the residents and put a stop to this project.”
The situation remains tense, with the residents prepared to escalate their protests if construction resumes. The local panchayat has temporarily halted the work, but the community is calling for a more permanent resolution that will ensure their safety and preserve the integrity of their environment. As the impasse continues, the residents of Iyyappanthangal remain vigilant, determined to protect their neighbourhood from the perceived threats posed by the pumping station project.
