Residents to launch a campaign to protect Pallikaranai marshland from risk of pollution caused by PPP projects in Perungudi dumpyard
A.Francis, president of the Thoraipakkam Residents Welfare Associations, said the residents' associations want the State government to stop polluting the Pallikaranai marshland. 'Ahead of the Assembly elections next year, residents have planned to launch a campaign urging the State government to stop dumping waste in the Perungudi dumpyard. The residents are concerned about the Pallikaranai marshland as the pollution is expected to increase because of Public Private Partnership Projects in the Perungudi dumpyard.'
Meanwhile, the Chennai Corporation is planning to expedite several PPP projects for solid waste management and has started conducting meetings with the contractors and various stakeholders.
Save Pallikaranai Marshland coordinator S.Kumararaja said the residents will launch a campaign against PPP projects that have been proposed inside the Pallikaranai marshland. 'We permitted biomining in Perungudi dumpyard because the solid waste pollution will be reduced. But we will not allow any PPP projects after biomining is completed. We will not allow parks, brick making units, incineration plants or waste to energy plants. We want Pallikaranai marshland to be restored to its original condition. Officials said they will conduct a public consultation about PPP projects. But we do not have any information about the list of PPP projects in the Pallikaranai marshland.'
The Chennai Corporation had planned to shift the Perungudi dumpyard to the city outskirts during the AIADMK regime. Officials identified two land parcels for the waste management projects. However, the project was shelved owing to protest by residents on the outskirts. Therefore, the Chennai Corporation continues dumping waste in the Perungudi dumpyard.
Chennai Corporation officials said the PPP projects will be implemented only after public consultation with the residents.
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