DMK Urged To Scrap Kodungaiyur WTE Plant Plan

10 Mar 2026 CW Team

The federation urged a comprehensive socio-economic study with public consultation and an assessment of high-level pollution in the industrial belts of Manali, Ennore and Thiruvottiyur. It called for a special ecological plan to minimise human impact on sensitive ecosystems after noting that soil conditions in those areas had become unsuitable for additional red listed industries. The submission linked the proposed plant to wider public health and environmental governance issues that require transparent mitigation measures.

On the Kodungaiyur landfill the federation urged zero-waste initiatives and decentralised waste management, including the reopening of 168 of 190 micro composting centres and 88 of 137 material recovery facilities across Chennai. It also sought cleaning and ecological restoration of the Buckingham Canal and the Cooum river, improved stormwater drains to prevent sewage contamination of drinking water, and investment in public services such as educational institutions and hospitals. The representation requested housing pattas aligned with urban growth, promotion of MSME hubs in North Chennai and a multi-storey complex to support small traders and local livelihoods.

The federation said the petition had also been submitted online to the AIADMK following discussions with former minister D Jayakumar and that outreach had been pursued across political lines. The association indicated an intention to meet the DMK parliamentary party leader and chair of the manifesto committee but reported that the delegation was redirected to RS Bharathi when she was unavailable. The group urged political leaders to adopt the proposed measures as manifesto commitments and to ensure independent review and public accountability before advancing any major waste infrastructure project.

The Federation of North Chennai Residential Welfare Associations met the DMK organising secretary RS Bharathi and submitted a formal representation urging the withdrawal of the plan to establish a waste-to-energy plant at Kodungaiyur. The association framed its demand as part of a call for sustainable, equitable and eco-sensitive development in North Chennai to be reflected in the party manifesto. The representation sought inclusive public participation in decision making and prioritised local concerns ahead of any project approval. The federation urged a comprehensive socio-economic study with public consultation and an assessment of high-level pollution in the industrial belts of Manali, Ennore and Thiruvottiyur. It called for a special ecological plan to minimise human impact on sensitive ecosystems after noting that soil conditions in those areas had become unsuitable for additional red listed industries. The submission linked the proposed plant to wider public health and environmental governance issues that require transparent mitigation measures. On the Kodungaiyur landfill the federation urged zero-waste initiatives and decentralised waste management, including the reopening of 168 of 190 micro composting centres and 88 of 137 material recovery facilities across Chennai. It also sought cleaning and ecological restoration of the Buckingham Canal and the Cooum river, improved stormwater drains to prevent sewage contamination of drinking water, and investment in public services such as educational institutions and hospitals. The representation requested housing pattas aligned with urban growth, promotion of MSME hubs in North Chennai and a multi-storey complex to support small traders and local livelihoods. The federation said the petition had also been submitted online to the AIADMK following discussions with former minister D Jayakumar and that outreach had been pursued across political lines. The association indicated an intention to meet the DMK parliamentary party leader and chair of the manifesto committee but reported that the delegation was redirected to RS Bharathi when she was unavailable. The group urged political leaders to adopt the proposed measures as manifesto commitments and to ensure independent review and public accountability before advancing any major waste infrastructure project.

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