Sewage Stagnates Near Tiruvallur Railway Station for Nearly Three Months

Sewage has been stagnating near platform 6 of the Tiruvallur railway station for nearly three months after the Tiruvallur municipality diverted discharge from a sewage treatment plant towards the area. Commuters have warned that the greenish stagnant water, which has mixed with rainwater, poses a significant health hazard.

Tiruvallur railway station is an NSG-2 (Non-Suburban Group-2) facility that handles an average of around 73,000 passengers daily.

According to the Tiruvallur municipal commissioner, discharge from the existing sewage treatment plant (STP) at Periyakuppam was diverted towards the Manavalanagar side about three months ago to stop effluent from entering Putlur Lake. However, municipal authorities have not provided an explanation as to why the stagnant pool near the station tracks was left uncleared for this duration.

K Baskar, joint secretary of the Manavalanagar Residents Welfare Association, said the railway administration must pursue the issue with the municipality to ensure the station surroundings are maintained in a clean condition.

The Periyakuppam STP has been under scrutiny for discharging untreated sewage into Putlur Lake. Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) inspections last year confirmed that the facility was not functioning properly and was releasing untreated waste into the lake.

To replace the facility, the municipality is working to commission a new STP based on soil biotechnology at a cost of Rs 10.5 crore. The municipal commissioner stated that the plant is expected to begin operations within a month. Commissioning was delayed because the civic body struggled to source the necessary laterite soil required for the system. The commissioner noted that the issue will be resolved once the new plant starts functioning.

Officials stated that a joint inspection by the municipality and Railways will be held to initiate steps to drain the stagnant water. A Southern Railway spokesperson added that the Railways will write to the Tiruvallur Municipality seeking the immediate removal of the polluted water.