Chennai Corporation Takes Action Against Illegal Dumping in Waterbodies

The Greater Chennai Corporation’s Solid Waste Management Department has issued a circular to establish a ‘Regional Enforcement Team’ to tackle the issue of illegal dumping of waste and debris in waterbodies within the city limits. The circular, directed to regional offices in the north, central, and south zones, outlines that the team will be led by Zonal Assistant Executive Engineers and include various officials such as solid waste management and conservancy supervisors, inspectors, tax collectors, and workers.

The team’s primary responsibility will be monitoring and preventing illegal dumping in waterways like the Cooum and Adyar canals under the GCC’s jurisdiction. The corporation is deploying advanced equipment and robotic excavators for desilting work, resulting in the removal of water hyacinth and construction waste. A digital monitoring system, comprising 97 CCTV cameras, has been installed to safeguard vulnerable locations near the canals.

Fines authorized by the Solid Waste Management 2016 by-laws will be imposed to deter illegal dumping, and the corporation has filed complaints with the police across all 15 zones to address the issue comprehensively.