Residents of Valayambattu village have strongly opposed the Vaniyambadi municipality’s proposal to build a new Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), citing environmental and water pollution concerns. The opposition emerged during a Peace Committee meeting organised by the municipality on Tuesday, which ended without agreement on the project.
The villagers fear the STP could contaminate groundwater in nearby agricultural areas and pollute the Palar River. They highlighted the importance of these water sources for farming and other local needs and expressed worry about the facility's potential impact on water quality and agriculture.
The municipality has identified a two-acre site in Valayambattu, about three kilometres from Vaniyambadi town, for the proposed plant. Officials said they inspected over 20 locations before selecting this site and noted it is downstream of the river, making it suitable for managing and transporting wastewater from Vaniyambadi.
The dispute centers on the plant’s location. While municipal authorities emphasize the site's suitability for wastewater management, residents remain concerned about its effects on groundwater, farms, and the Palar River. Consequently, the Peace Committee meeting failed to reach a consensus, with villagers continuing to oppose the STP.
