Residents of Edakuppam village, near Walajah town in Ranipet, blocked a tractor that carried loads of sludge to illegally dump in open plots on Edakuppam Main Road in the village, posing health hazards and polluting groundwater.

Residents said the village comprises nine wards with more than 10,000 persons, who are mostly petty traders, agricultural labourers and low-level government staff. Walajah and Ranipet towns are closer to the village. Along with other local bodies, Edakuppam village also depends on water supplied by the civic body through the Tamil Nadu Water and Drainage Board and local water sources. “Such illegal dumping of sludge in open government plots poses health risks to residents. It will also pollute groundwater on which we depend for agriculture as our livelihood,” said G. Mahesan, a farmer.

Residents said that the village has a few lakes within its limits. Civic bodies around the village are illegally dumping sludge, meat wastes and other garbage on open plots near these water bodies. “During rain, slush from the dumped waste gets washed into nearby water bodies and pollutes water that is used for domestic consumption and irrigation. Schools, a government hostel and a temple are located on the stretch where such dumping is being done,” said R. Vimala, a resident.

Residents said that the village road has been used by many motorists including government buses, ambulances, cars and two-wheelers. Frequent accidents are caused by stray dogs and cattle thriving on garbage dumped on open lands along the stretch.

Apart from contamination of groundwater in the area, residents said that such dumping of wastes turned plots into mosquito breeding grounds. Regular fogging has not been done by the civic body for many months. They also alleged that no action has been taken by the civic body and panchayat union officials against waste dumping in the village despite numerous complaints.

Against this backdrop, residents stopped a tractor with a full load of sludge on the stretch on Thursday. The sludge was removed from clogged drains by surrounding civic bodies. Residents said that such vehicles that carry sludge to dump in open areas will be seized in the future. As the traffic was hit on the route, local police rushed to the spot and pacified the agitated residents, who dispersed peacefully.