Tests show Chromepet water contaminated with petrol: Activist

CHENNAI: Lab tests at the

King Institute of Preventive Medicine and Research

in

Guindy

show the presence of hydrocarbons and mineral oil in the groundwater and soil at Nehru Nagar near Chromepet, says social activist

V Santhanam

who is hopeful that action will finally be taken to address the contamination.

Based on a TOI report on the presence of petrol in groundwater, the state human rights commission had issued a notice to the pollution control board over the issue, with the Pallavaram municipality later sending water and soil samples for testing. Residents have blamed a petrol station run by Hindustan Petroleum on Rajendra Prasad Street for the contamination.

Santhanam, who has taken up the cause on behalf of locals, said, "Residents have got skin diseases by using this water. It is the sole responsibility of the company to set right this mess." S M Govindarajan, a resident in the area, said, "Despite giving assurances, none of the civic authorities have helped. The company should own up to the leakage of petrol into groundwater and take necessary action."

A senior citizen from the locality, who did not wish to be named, said residents had been suffering for the last three years. "How can the authorities turn a deaf ear to a genuine problem of residents who are suffering for no fault of theirs? It is high time the authorities and Hindustan Petroleum find a solution," he said.