200 residents of Seppakam, an ash village near Ennore’s fly ash pond, await relocation

Chennai: People visiting the ash dyke at Ennore even for a few minutes might end up developing breathing troubles and eye irritation. For decades now, 200-odd residents of Seppakkam village, living a kilometre away, deal with this menace day in, day out.

When TOI visited the spot, children were seen playing near a river bund leading to the dyke even as a dust storm had broken out. At least 20 lorries moved around, kicking up dust and ash several metres in the air.

“We got used to this,” said Ekambaram, a local at the village, which falls under Kattukuppam panchayat. “Our children play near the dyke and the elderly take shelter here. We were promised relocation, but to no avail.” A 2022 NGT order had mandated then chief secretary to consider the grievances, assess water contamination and the need for relocation.

“The village lacks basic amenities. The nearest hospital and middle school are 4km away in Minjur, and we travel to Athipattu to catch the train. Children skip school on many days,” said V Parthiban, another local.

“We don’t have proper roads leading to the village. The panchayat used CSR funds to build eight toilets a year ago. They are yet to be opened,” said Sethuraman. Living near these ash deposition centres is hazardous to health, said G Sundarrajan, environmentalist at Poovulagin Nanbargal. He was a part of the joint committee formed to investigate the pollution in Ennore. “Ash particles are micron-sized and can deposit in lungs upon prolonged exposure. They can lead to severe health problems,” he added.

Tiruvallur collector M Prathap said he would look into the issue.