Chennai: The fishermen's happiness over the commencement of monsoon related work at Ennore Creek and Buckingham canal did not last long as the Kamarajar Port Limited authorities have deliberately chose to dump the sand at the other side of the canal — that drains the rain water to the sea.
Putting a check on it, the sub-collector of Tiruvallur on Monday seized four trucks for dumping sand there. Desilting work commenced on October 12 at the Creek, following the impact of the massive campaign — Save Ennore Creek — initiated by the local fishermen and the activists from Coastal Resource Centre.
During the inspection with the local fishermen and activists from Coastal resource Centre on removal of encroachments, sub-collector of Tiruvallur district V.P. Thandapani witnessed the trucks dumping sand into the creek on Monday.
After enquiring about it, he had immediately seized the unauthorised vehicles and informed Minjur police.
Nityanand Jayaraman of the Coastal Resource Centre said the sand was being transported without obtaining permission from the revenue department. “Three acres of the creek have been contaminated after continuous dumping of debris and fly ash. The encroachment of water bodies had caused devastation in Chennai floods and the Kamarajar port's act is the utter disregard for the safety of the city,” said Nityanand.
Minjur police confirmed the seizure of the four vehicles and said they would be released only after paying the compensation issued by the revenue department officer.
