Stricter enforcement measures planned for CRZ violations, industrial pollution: T.N. Environment Minister

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Tamil Nadu Minister for Environment and Climate Change Rajeev. | Photo Credit: Special arrangement

Tamil Nadu Minister for Environment and Climate Change Rajeev on Friday said the government would strictly enforce measures to curb Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) violations, prevent the discharge of untreated industrial effluents into waterbodies, and step up monitoring on biomedical waste management.

Speaking to The Hindu, he said complaints regarding CRZ violations along the coast, particularly unauthorised resorts and buildings in ecologically sensitive areas, would be reviewed and acted upon. He said the government would examine existing violations, ascertain when the structures were built and take action in accordance with the law.

Referring to instances of biomedical waste from Kerala being dumped in Tamil Nadu’s border districts, Mr. Rajeev said stricter monitoring and enforcement measures were being pursued to ensure proper disposal. “We track where the vehicles come from. Most of the vehicles involved have Tamil Nadu registrations. Once we identify where the waste originated, we trace it back to the hospital and contact the institution concerned. The seriousness of the problem has not been fully understood by everyone. Some people have accepted money and allowed such practices,” he said.

On industrial pollution, he said industries, particularly dyeing and textile units in western districts, should comply with effluent treatment norms, and violations would attract stringent action. “Our priority is strict enforcement. In some areas, common effluent treatment plants (CETPs) function effectively. We are asking industries elsewhere to establish similar facilities,” he said.

Mr. Rajeev said the government was urging industries to invest in effluent treatment infrastructure rather than evading regulations. “Industries should prosper. But they must operate properly because pollution affects workers, families, and surrounding communities,” he said.

The Department has planned