Chennai, Jan 18 (BPNS)
The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB)in its water analysis study report said that the three major rivers of Chennai, Cooum, Adayar and Buckingham Canal have high levels of pollution and is unfit for any kind of life form.
The TNPCB in the study report stated that in a study carried out in 41 locations of these three rivers, dissolved oxygen was not found.
The analysis states that dissolved solids every month is between 700 and 5000 mg per litre, and faecal matter was found to be between 70-300 mg per litre in every sample. The coliform presence is between 300 and 1500 mg per litre.
R. Kannan, Member Secretary of Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board told media persons that they have been collecting samples and testing them and sending the sample reports to the concerned departments.
It is to be noted that the state government has commenced the River restoration project with a huge budget of Rs 3400 crore in 2015 and Chennai River Restoration Trust is coordinating the work.
C. Rajeev, Director, Centre for Policy and Development Studies, a think tank based out of Chennai while speaking to BPNS said, “ The report clearly indicates that sewage is a major cause of pollution in the rivers and this has to be accounted for to reduce pollution of rivers and prevent these rivers from dying. The government should install online monitoring systems to have a vigil on pollution.”
He also said that heavy penalties must be levied on polluters.
According to environmental scientists, the biological oxygen demand (BOD) in treated water must be below 20 to ensure that more organic matter is not let into the rivers. It is to be noted that the BOD is much above 56 near the Nesapakam and Perungadi sewage treatment plants.
Share this: