Chennai: Taking cognisance of the poor condition of Adyar and Cooum rivers in the city, the Madras high court on Friday initiated suo motu proceedings and directed the state government to appoint a high power committee to restore the rivers to their past/original glory. A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Huluvadi G.Ramesh and Justice RMT.Teeka Raman directed the authorities including the Public Works Department to clean up both Adyar and Cooum rivers, in which sewerage and drainage were let out.
The bench said sewerage treatment plants have to be established at a distance of about 20 to 25 kms from the city in an area of about 50 to 100 acres. Sewerage and drainage waters should be sent to these treatment plants for purification, the bench added. The bench said the water, after treatment, shall be made use for agricultural purposes. "Cooum and Adyar rivers should be restored to their past glory, so that the public could use them for boating and recreation purposes".
Residents of these localities could also get unpolluted fresh air and environment could be free of health hazards. The state government may approach the union government for allotment of funds for this purpose", the bench added and posted to June 30, further hearing of the case.
