Villagers oppose setting up of sewage treatment plant near Sholinghur town in Ranipet

Villagers, mostly farmers and traders, staged a protest on Arakkonam – Sholinghur Main Road, on Friday against setting up a new Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in Udayarpalayam hamlet by Sholinghur municipality due to fear of pollution of ground water in surrounding farming villages and Palar River.

Residents said Udayarpalayam hamlet forms part of Pandiyanallur village panchayat that comes under Sholinghur panchayat union in the district. The hamlet has around 1,500 residents, who are mostly farmers and petty traders. “The proposed treatment plant will have an impact on water quality in surrounding villages that depend on agriculture. The Sholinghur municipality should identify a plot in its limits for the new facility,” said K. Raman, a farmer.

Residents said the village has a few water bodies and most farming activities in surrounding villages are done through bore wells.

Paddy is the chief crop in the village and adjoining hamlets. Farmers also cultivate green chilli, brinjal, groundnuts, greens and mango.

Residents said setting up of the sewage treatment plant near water bodies and farmlands will affect water quality in the area. Such pollution to groundwater and surface water will impact farming in surrounding villages. 

Officials of Sholinghur municipality said the civic body was unable to identify vacant plots in its limits due to high land cost and density of population. The village was selected as the area is located closer to Sholinghur town, around three kms away, on the downstream. The water flow to the new treatment plant will be much easier.

Municipal officials said the proposed STP will be built to treat sewage and other waste water generated in houses in Sholinghur town. Recycled water will be used to water plants on stretches.

Existing storm water drains in the town are used to discharge wastewater from houses. Such wastewater flows into nearby lakes and ponds, resulting in pollution. The new plant will end such illegal discharge of waste water into drains and pollution of water bodies, municipal officials said.