Archive · 19 May 2025
Adyar River Turns Dump Despite Ban, Authorities Struggle
Imagine a river and a garbage dump.
The river is supposed to be clean, but people are throwing trash there, even though they're not supposed to.
A recent study found the dump had even more trash than officials said.
People are worried because the trash is piling up, and some of it is dangerous, like medical waste.
Officials say they're trying to clean things up but don't have enough money or workers.
The authorities are not taking actions against those who violate the rules.
Illegal dumping and burning of waste continue along the Adyar River despite a ban by the National Green Tribunal.
A 2021 survey found significant amounts of garbage along the riverbed.
Residents report approximately two tonnes of waste being dumped daily, causing pollution.
Biomedical waste has been found among the discarded materials.
Local authorities cite lack of resources for proper waste management.
- Who
- Local residents, neighbouring village panchayats, private hospitals and medical colleges, and officials.
- What
- Illegal dumping and burning of waste, including plastic, vegetables, furniture, and biomedical waste, along the Adyar river.
- When
- More than two years after NGT banned dumping and burning.
- Where
- Along the Adyar River in Gerugambakkam, Cowl Bazaar, and Kolapakkam, Chennai.
- Why
- Due to lack of effective enforcement, and insufficient resources of local authorities.
Local Residents
Gerugambakkam Panchayat/Authorities
Waste Management
Local Residents
Express concerns about the environmental hazards, health issues and the lack of enforcement of the ban on waste dumping.
Gerugambakkam Panchayat/Authorities
Claim they do not have the necessary resources, state support and manpower to manage the waste properly.
Medical waste dumping
Local Residents
Advocates express worries regarding the actions of private hospitals and medical colleges who have allegedly been responsible for illegal dumping of biomedical waste.
Gerugambakkam Panchayat/Authorities
Authorities and panchayats' actions were not reported.
- Location of illegal dumping
- Adyar River, Gerugambakkam, Cowl Bazaar, Kolapakkam
- Amount of waste found in 2021 survey
- 11.87 cubic metres
- Waste being dumped daily
- Approximately two tonnes
- Gerugambakkam panchayat sanitary workers
- 15
- Gerugambakkam panchayat tax revenue
- 5 lakh
- National Green Tribunal (NGT) order
- Banned dumping and burning of waste along the Adyar River
