Stricter enforcement measures planned for CRZ violations, industrial pollution: TN Environment Minister

Tamil Nadu Environment and Climate Change Minister Rajeev. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Tamil Nadu Environment and Climate Change Minister Rajeev said on Friday that the government will strictly enforce measures to curb violations of coastal regulation zones (CRZs), prevent the discharge of untreated industrial effluents into waterways and strengthen monitoring of biomedical waste management.

Speaking to The Hindu, he said complaints regarding CRZ violations along the coast, especially unauthorized resorts and buildings in ecologically sensitive areas, would be looked into and action would be taken, he said. He said the government will check the existing violations, find out when the structures were built and take legal action.

Referring to cases of biomedical waste from Kerala being dumped in the border districts of Tamil Nadu, Mr. Rajeev said stricter monitoring and enforcement measures are being put in place to ensure proper disposal. “We are tracking where the vehicles are coming from. Most of the vehicles involved are registered in Tamil Nadu. Once we identify where the waste is coming from, we trace it back to the hospital and contact the institution concerned. The severity of the problem was not fully understood by all. Some people accepted money and enabled such practices,” he said.

On industrial pollution, he said industries, especially dyeing and textile units in western districts, should follow the norms for sewage treatment and their violation would attract strict action. “Our priority is strict enforcement. In some areas, conventional sewage treatment plants (CETPs) are working effectively. We are asking industry elsewhere to set up similar plants,” he said.

Mr. Rajeev said the government was urging industries to invest in wastewater treatment infrastructure rather than evading regulations. “The industry should be thriving. But it has to work properly because pollution affects workers, families and surrounding communities,” he said.

The ministry has planned a scientific assessment of solid waste generation in selected areas to identify waste hotspots and infrastructure gaps, he said. The study will examine the volume of waste produced, the locations where waste accumulation is highest and the need for facilities such as litter bins. Based on the findings, corrective measures and information campaigns will be initiated. The minister said the initiative will start as a pilot project in some areas in Ramanathapuram and Namakkal districts before expanding to other areas.

Beach facelift

Mr Rajeev said Tamil Nadu intends to add more beaches to the Blue Flag scheme and upgrade infrastructure at existing sites. Facilities such as washrooms, seating and shaded areas will be improved and wooden ramps will also be installed at all existing Blue Flag beaches to improve accessibility and visitor movement, he said.

Following the success of the Chief Minister’s Green Fellowship programme, the minister added that the scholarship, which had 40 fellows in the first batch, was proposed to be expanded.

Published – 12 Jun 2026 18:44 IST