PMK leader Anbumani Ramdoss visiting the Tamirabharani river at Sindhupoondurai in Tirunelveli on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit: A. SHAIKMOHIDEEN
TThe Tamil Nadu Government should complete comprehensive survey and a submit the action plan with the Centre for releasing ₹1,000 crore for the restoration of seriously polluted Tamirabharani River, Pattali Makkal Katchi leader Anbumani Ramadoss has said.After inspecting the uncontrolled flow of sewage into the Tamirabharani River at Sindhupoondurai and near the North Bypass Road on Tuesday, Dr. Anbumani said the only perennial river of Tamil Nadu, originating at Pothigai Hills of the Western Ghats and enters the sea at Punnakayal after travelling for about 122 km, should be saved from the liquid and solid waste being generated in all local bodies, including Tirunelveli Corporation and discharge waste into the river.Even though the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court had directed the district administration and the local bodies concerned to take all-out efforts to save the river, the backbone of drinking water system in five southern districts, no concrete measure had been taken by the official machinery to save this river.The Judges even personally inspected the river and ascertained the pathetic condition of the river where they saw the sewage flowing via a ‘few filtration tanks’. While tonnes of old clothes were being discarded into the river as ritual, sewage was flowing into the river at 19 more spots. On its part, oil-mixed-water was flowing from the transport department’s workshop near the Tirunelveli Circuit House.“We don’t demand the cleaning of Cooum River to transform it into the Tamirabharani. We want the government to save Tamirabharani from becoming another Cooum. After the DMK came to power in 1967, even the Cooum River became polluted. There are instances where foreign countries have successfully restored the seriously polluted rivers, including River Thames. There are scientific solutions available to rejuvenate the polluted rivers, and hence the people in power should learn these lessons from the success stories across the globe to save Tamirabharani. Even the medical encyclopedia does not have any explanation for the diseases caused by the polluted Tamirabharani,” Dr. Anbumani said adding that Lord Kallalagar was entering not into the river Vaigai but into a flow of sewage every year, thanks to the “inactive government”.He said a check-dam at Punnakayal, Tamirabharani esturay, should be built to store a portion of 15 TMC surplus water going waste into the sea which would also prevent sea intrusion into the land. Moreover, it would also ensure drinking water for this coastal hamlet.“I’ll meet Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman to release ₹1,000 crore for rejuvenation of the Tamirabharani for which the Tamil Nadu Government should also play active role. Else, we’ll mobilise the angered people against DMK government, which should survey this river and submit the proposal to the Union Government for getting funds to save the Tamirabharani,” Dr. Anbumani said. Published - October 07, 2025 06:28 pm IST
