Tue Jun 03 00:30:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
Residents of Ennore, a heavily industrialized region in North Chennai, India, are struggling with severe pollution stemming from nearby industries. The pollution has been ongoing for decades, with specific incidents like oil spills and ammonia leaks exacerbating the problem. The pollution has led to health issues, contaminated water sources, and damaged the local ecosystem, particularly impacting the livelihoods of fishermen who depend on the Ennore creek. Residents are calling for stricter monitoring of industrial pollution, health screenings, and permanent jobs for those affected.
**News Article:**
**Ennore Residents Choke on Industrial Pollution: Decades of Neglect Take Their Toll**
**CHENNAI, INDIA – June 3, 2025** – Residents of Ennore, a highly industrialized region in North Chennai, are facing a worsening environmental crisis that has plagued the community for decades. Industrial pollution has turned their lives upside down, affecting their health, water sources, and livelihoods.
“Don’t ask what problems Ennore has – ask what problems it doesn’t have,” said one exasperated resident, highlighting the dire situation.
The community’s plight recently gained attention due to a series of incidents, including an oil spill and an ammonia leak in December 2023. But these were just the latest in a long line of environmental hazards. Residents report a constant barrage of fly ash, chemical residue settling on their homes, and industrial waste being discharged into the Ennore creek, a vital fishing ground.
K. Devaki, a resident since 1975, says the polluted water has turned her children’s teeth yellow and caused respiratory problems. “We struggle with hairfall too. Due to constant inhalation of polluted air, thanks to industrial emissions, many of us have developed breathing difficulty and respiratory issues,” the 69-year-old explains.
Fishermen, whose livelihoods depend on the health of the Ennore creek, are also suffering. They say the creek, once teeming with marine life, has been decimated by pollution. D. Venkatesan, a local fisherman, laments, “The Ennore creek, which used to be a fishing ground rich in marine life, is suffering due to pollution. Earlier, most fisherfolk used to make a profit of at least ₹1,000 a day but now, many are unable to even meet the expenses.”
Residents are demanding stricter monitoring of industrial pollution, health screenings to assess the impact of pollution, and permanent jobs for those whose livelihoods have been affected. Local Member of Parliament Kalanidhi Veeraswamy stated that meetings had been held with local companies to address the issue, and air quality monitors are planned. However, for residents on the ground, these measures seem insufficient to address the scale of the problem. The second generation of families in Ennore is slowly moving out to the city, with pollution being the main factor. Industrial pollution has impacted the health of many,” he said.
The future of Ennore, and its residents, hangs in the balance as the community grapples with the long-term consequences of industrial negligence.
First Piper 