Sun Jan 26 17:46:39 UTC 2025: ## Muttukadu Backwaters Choke on Sewage, Garbage: Residents Cry Foul
**CHENNAI, January 27, 2025** – The once pristine Muttukadu backwaters, a popular tourist spot near Chennai, are facing severe environmental degradation due to untreated sewage and garbage dumping, residents claim. Rapid urbanization fueled by the IT sector’s growth has overwhelmed the area’s infrastructure, leading to a serious pollution crisis.
Students from a nearby arts and science college report a persistent foul stench emanating from the polluted waters, causing illness and disrupting studies. Locals allege that hundreds of sewage lorries daily discharge untreated waste from areas like Navalur and Kelambakkam into the lake at Kazhipattur, which flows into the Kovalam sea. The problem intensifies during summer months due to increased evaporation.
Fishermen from Karikattukuppam, relocated after the tsunami, report a drastic decline in water quality and drinking water levels, forcing them to abandon fishing in the polluted backwaters. They also complain about inadequate resettlement space, hindering their ability to build new homes.
The issue extends beyond sewage. Garbage dumping along Old Mahabalipuram Road further exacerbates the environmental problems. While some private apartment complexes have taken initiatives to clean up their surrounding areas, residents criticize the Padur panchayat’s insufficient waste management capabilities despite collecting taxes and development charges.
Despite these challenges, some positive initiatives exist. Residents of Hiranandani complex have undertaken a tree-planting project with the Forest Department, creating a green buffer zone along the backwaters.
However, the overall situation paints a grim picture of environmental neglect, with residents urging authorities to take immediate action to address the sewage and garbage issues plaguing the Muttukadu backwaters before irreversible damage occurs.
First Piper 