Complete work for sewage treatment plant project in Aranthangi soon, Madras High Court tells govt

However, the sewage water from the Aranthangi taluk has been mixed in the water body for the past two years, thereby polluting it.

Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court. (File photo)

MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court on Friday directed the state government to complete the work of the sewage treatment plant project in Aranthangi taluk as expeditiously as possible.

A Bench of Justices M Sundar and R Sakthivel gave the direction while disposing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by K Ravi of Vairivayal village in Aranthangi seeking direction to stop the discharge of sewage water into a waterbody in his village.

During the hearing, the government counsel informed that a sewage treatment plant was to be set up to alleviate the grievance projected by the litigant. The land has been identified and administrative sanction has been granted for the project by the director of municipal administration, the counsel added and assured that every effort would be taken to set up the plant. Recording this, the judges issued the above direction and closed the PIL.

According to Ravi, the water body, which measures around 12.09 hectares, has water throughout the year and is a main source of irrigation for agricultural activities in Vairivayal and neighbouring villages.

However, the sewage water from the Aranthangi taluk has been mixed in the water body for the past two years, thereby polluting it. In addition to stopping this sewage discharge, Ravi also wanted the authorities to take necessary action to remove the encroachments and water hyacinths in the water body.