Plea to prevent discharge of sewage in Vaigai river

Madurai: Madras high court on Friday ordered notice to the Centre and state on a plea complaining about the discharge of sewage into the Vaigai river in Madurai, Dindigul, Theni, Sivaganga, and Ramanathapuram districts.
A division bench of justice G R Swaminathan and justice B Pugalendhi sought the response while hearing a public interest litigation filed by an advocate, R Manibharathi.
The petitioner stated that Theni municipality, Madurai corporation, and Ramanathapuram municipality implemented underground sewage systems, but not all houses were linked with these systems.
A team of experts from Madurai Nature Cultural Foundation (MNCF), which conducted a study about pollution in Vaigai river, identified that 197 sewage pipes or canals at 177 spots were connecting to the river directly from Valipparai village to Atrangarai village. The team also collected water samples and tested them.
Manibharathi submitted a representation to constitute a special committee for conducting a spot inspection on the places where sewage is let into the river. However, no steps were taken.
Hence, he moved court seeking a direction to constitute a committee to inspect and prevent the discharge of sewage into the entire stretch of the river. He also sought to set up sewage treatment plants by local bodies to prevent the discharge of untreated water into the river.