North Chennai Residents Plan Sept 27 Protest Against Kodungaiyur Waste Plant

The Federation of North Chennai Residents Welfare Association (FNCRWA) will hold a torchlight vigil and public demonstration on September 27 in Kodungaiyur to oppose a proposed 2,100-tonne waste-to-energy plant.

The event, titled “Prosperous north Chennai – A dream for the next generation,” was announced by federation members who are demanding that the Greater Chennai Corporation drop the planned waste-to-energy facility and permanently shut down the site's existing incinerator.

Federation members alleged that the existing incinerator has violated environmental norms. The facility had remained shut down for four months due to violations and only recently resumed its operations, raising fresh concerns among local community representatives.

Rather than continuing with waste incineration, the association called on civic authorities to adopt the “Green Chennai Initiative.” This alternative solid waste management plan was developed by the federation in collaboration with environmental experts and has been officially submitted to both the State government and the civic body.

As part of this alternative vision, the association proposed that the 327-acre Kodungaiyur dumpyard site be transformed after biomining is complete. The group requested that the area be redeveloped into a public library and an environmental park featuring a restored canal.

The demonstration will also highlight broader environmental and urban planning demands across the northern region of the city. The federation put forth demands for a special ecological plan targeting several surrounding areas, including Manali, Ennore, Tiruvottiyur, Kodungaiyur, and Korukkupet.

In its statement, the association additionally insisted on full transparency regarding all future development projects in north Chennai. The group urged planners to ensure a significantly greater focus on the region within the drafting of the Third Master Plan for Chennai.