Residents flag dumping of drainage sludge on vacant plots in Tiruchi

Drainage sludge dumped on vacant land at Cauvery Nagar in Tiruchi. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Residents of Cauvery Nagar in Ward 56 of Tiruchi have raised concerns over the dumping of drainage sludge and debris on vacant plots in the locality by lorries allegedly bringing the waste from outside the area.In a petition to the Tiruchi City Corporation, the Cauvery Nagar Welfare Association urged the civic body to take action to prevent unauthorised dumping, citing its potential impact on public health and the residential environment.According to the association, lorries were transporting drainage sludge and debris from outside the locality and dumping them on vacant plots in Cauvery Nagar. “The practice leads to stench, unhygienic conditions, and potential health risks in the neighbourhood. Immediate action should be taken by the authorities to prevent such dumping,” said K. Swaminathan, a resident.The issue comes amid the Corporation’s ongoing desilting of stormwater drains across all 65 wards. The sludge removed by civic workers is reportedly being transported and dumped on vacant plots in peripheral areas.A section of residents have raised concerns over private septic tank operators allegedly dumping sewage waste on the outskirts of the city. They said the indiscriminate disposal of sludge and sewage waste on vacant plots could cause inconvenience to people living nearby and adversely affect the local environment.The association has called for regular monitoring of vacant plots and stringent action against those found dumping waste illegally. It has urged the Corporation to ensure that the sludge removed from drains and waste collected from septic tanks are transported and disposed of at designated locations in a safe and scientific manner. Published - November 03, 2026 07:09 pm IST