Villagers are against the establishment of a sewage treatment plant near Sholinghur town in Ranipet

A protest is being held on the Arakkonam-Sholinghur main road on Friday. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Villagers, mostly farmers and traders, staged a protest on the Arakkonam-Sholinghur highway on Friday against the setting up of a new Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at Udayarpalayam village near Sholinghur, fearing groundwater pollution in nearby agricultural villages and the Palar river.

Residents said Udayarpalayam village is part of Pandiyanallur village panchayat, which falls under Sholinghur panchayat union in the district. The village has about 1,500 inhabitants, who are mostly farmers and small traders. “The proposed treatment plant will have an impact on the water quality of the surrounding villages, which are dependent on agriculture. The Sholinghur village should identify the land for the new plant in its limits,” said K. Raman, a farmer.

Residents said the village has several water bodies and most of the agricultural activities in the surrounding villages are done through bore wells.

Paddy is the main crop in the village and adjoining settlements. Farmers also grow green chillies, brinjal, groundnut, vegetables and mangoes.

Residents said that the establishment of a sewage treatment plant near water bodies and agricultural land will affect the water quality in the area. Such pollution of groundwater and surface water will have an impact on agriculture in the surrounding villages.

Sholinghur municipal officials said the civic body was unable to identify vacant land within its limits due to high cost of land and population density. The village was chosen because the area is closer to Sholinghur town, about three km away, on the lower reaches of the river. The flow of water to the new treatment plant will be much easier.

City officials said the proposed STP will be built to treat sewage and other sewage generated by houses in Sholinghur town. The recycled water will be used to water the plants in the sections.

The existing storm drains in the city are used to discharge wastewater from houses. Such sewage flows into nearby lakes and ponds, resulting in pollution. The new plant will put an end to such illegal discharge of sewage into sewers and pollution of water bodies, municipal officials said.

Published – 25 Sep 2026 23:32 IST