Medical wastes, sewage ruin river

KRISHNAGIRI: South Pennar River which gives drinking water to Krishnagiri, Tiruvannamalai, Cuddalore and part of Villupuram districts is on the verge of ruin owing to dumping of medical wastes, plastics and indiscriminate letting of sewage water into the river.

The 430-km long river, originating from Nandi Hills in Karnataka, courses through four districts of Tamilnadu. Chinnar and Markandeya rivers, Pambar River, Vaniyar River and many other rivers join South Pennar River in Krishnagiri district.

The river covers 110 km in Karnataka, 140 km in Krishnagiri, 35 km in Tiruvannamalai, 105 km in Villupuram and 40 km in Cuddalore district. Twelve dams have been built across the river which irrigates thousands of acres. It is also the main source of drinking water to more that 100 villages along its route.

More than nine flyovers have been built across the river in Krishnagiri district. Medical wastes, plastics and garbage are dumped on the banks of the river. A four-km sub-channel on the right side of the river is being used to let off sewage water from houses and commercial establishments on the river banks. In many places walls of this channel are broken and the sewage water flows directly into the river.

Kaveripattinam Town Panchayat executive officer S. Palaniammal said the panchayat had stopped dumping wastes on the river bank.

The district administration had provided an alternative site for dumping garbage collected from the town, Palaniammal said.

She promised that steps would be taken immediately to clean the area. The town panchayat had plans to distribute pamphlets among the public to drive home the need to keep the environment clean. Palaniammal said sanction would be sought after the Lok Sabha elections for the repair of the sewage channel. She said those who dumped wastes in the river would be fined.