Villagers oppose the establishment of a sewage treatment plant at a peace committee meeting in Vaniyambadi

Residents of Valayambattu village at a peace committee meeting organized by Vaniyambadi village on Tuesday. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

A peace committee meeting organized by Vaniyambadi village on Tuesday to set up a new Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) failed as residents of Valayambattu village strongly opposed the proposal. They feared that the plant would cause groundwater pollution in nearby farming villages and the Palar River.

Municipal officials said the new plant will come up on a two-acre plot in Valayambattu village, three km from Vaniyambadi town. “The municipality has checked more than 20 sites for the new facility before finalizing the plot in the village (Valayambattu). The proposed site is located downstream of the river and will facilitate the drainage of sewage from the city,” said a municipal official.

Residents said that more than 4,000 families lived in Valayambattu village, which comes under Alangayam Panchayat union in the district. Most families depended on agriculture and weaving for their livelihood. “The proposed treatment plant will affect the quality of water in the surrounding villages because it will be built along the river. The district collector should intervene in the project in the interests of the residents, including farmers,” said resident R. Pratap.

Residents said the village had several bodies of water. The village was located near the confluence of the Kallar and Palar rivers along the Chennai – Bengaluru highway (NH 48).

Paddy is the main crop in the village and adjoining settlements. Farmers also grew green chillies, brinjal, groundnut, vegetables and mangoes. Farmers said the open land identified for the new treatment plant could be used by farmers to graze cattle. It could also help retain excess rainwater during the monsoon, preventing houses in the village from flooding.

As the municipal officials of Vaniyambadi town were unable to find a plot due to high cost, a plot in Valayambattu village was selected. The new STP is supposed to treat sewage and other waste water generated in houses in Vaniyambadi town. Recycled water would also be used to water the plants in the sections.

At present, sewage from houses in Vaniyambadi flows into nearby lakes and ponds, resulting in pollution. The new plant would end the illegal discharge of sewage into sewers and the pollution of bodies of water, municipal officials said.

Published – 22 Sep 2026 22:51 IST