National Green Tribunal
National Green Tribunal Southern Zone vs The Secretary To Govt. Of Tamil Nadu ... on 8 January, 2026
Item No.09:-
BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL
SOUTHERN ZONE, CHENNAI
[Through Physical Hearing (Hybrid Option)]
Original Application No.246 of 2020 (SZ)
IN THE MATTER OF:
Tribunal on its own motionSuo Motu based
on the news item in Dinamani Newspaper,
Chennai edition Dt.02.11.2020, "Vaiyavur
and Nathapettai Lakes : Will become a bird
sanctuary?"
And
The Secretary to Govt. of Tamil Nadu,
Department of Environment,
Govt. Secretariat, Fort St. George,
Chennai and Ors.
...Respondent(s)
Date of hearing: 08.01.2026.
CORAM:
HON'BLE Smt. JUSTICE PUSHPA SATHYANARAYANA, JUDICIAL MEMBER
HON'BLE Dr. PRASHANT GARGAVA, EXPERT MEMBER
For Applicant(s): Suo Motu.
For Respondent(s): Dr. D. Shanmuganathan for R1 to R4, R6 to R8.
Mr. S. Sai Sathya Jith for R5.
M/s. Harikrishnan. T, J. Koseph Sundar & Nikhil. J
for R9.
Page 1 of 6
Official Present: Commissioner,
Kancheepuram City Municipal Corporation.
ORDER
1. The report of the Water Resources Department (WRD) dated 18.01.2024 had given the estimates for the eco-restoration of Nathapettai and Vaiyavur tanks as 28.50 Crores and Rs.17 Crores respectively.
2. The learned counsel appearing for the State of Tamil Nadu states that in view of the escalation of the cost, the amount has to be revised.
3. The status report filed by the WRD dated 19.04.2025 has quoted the revised estimates for the eco-restoration of the Nathapettai and Vaiyavur Lakes as Rs.18 Crores and Rs.34.50 Crores respectively based on the current schedule rates for the year 2024-2025.
4. Be that as it may, the Commissioner - Kancheepuram City Municipal Corporation who is present through Video Conference has filed a report dated 06.01.2026 regarding the various aspects and the progress of the same. So far as the UGSS is concerned, it is stated that 18 Wards comprise a total of 15,652 house service connections, of which, 28% is now completed. The project is scheduled to be completed by September 2027. With this, it is represented that the sewage outfalls into the lakes are plugged, though there were objections from the residents.
Page 2 of 65. It is to be noted that when the work is only 28% complete and the sewage outfall is said to have been plugged, how is it being treated from the individual houses is not stated. We make it very clear that the individuals, who may remove the sewage through tankers, should not be allowed to decant it either in the lake or in any of the stormwater drainage.
6. As it is already mentioned that the above-said tankers used for that purpose are GPS fitted, it is for the Corporation to take appropriate action in this regard.
7. So far as the Sewage Treatment Plants are concerned, there is a progress of 45% and likely to be completed by September 2026. When we posed a question to the Commissioner
- Kancheepuram City Municipal Corporation, who appeared through Video Conference, it was stated that the capacity of the existing STP is 16 MLD and the waste generated is 14 MLD per day. Here again, it is stated that the STP is scheduled to be completed by September 2026.
8. As 18 Wards are yet to be connected to the UGSS, it would be appropriate for the Corporation to expedite the completion of the STP, so that the entire Kancheepuram will have the UGSS facility and the sewage may not enter the waterbodies. Even while letting the treated effluents from the STP is discharged into the lake, the Corporation has to ensure that untreated sewage is not mixed.
Page 3 of 69. Regarding the Manjalneer Odai Canal, it is stated that of the entire length of the RCC wall, only 60 meters and 90 meters in length are to be completed on both sides. The floor work and the RR wall are also to be completed to a length of 900 meters. It is stated to be completed by February 2026.
10. Only after the completion of the construction of the Manjalneer Odai Canal, the cleaning up work can be taken up for an unobstructed flow of water through the same. In the meanwhile, the Corporation is directed to ensure that there is no dumping of debris or sludge into the canal or the disposal of garbage. The Corporation is also directed to consider the protective measures for preventing the entry of the above into the water canals. The Corporation is also advised to levy a penalty for those who are dumping the garbage or allowing the sewage entering into water bodies.
11. So far as the Solid Waste Management is concerned, there are 6 new Micro Composting Centres (MCCs) and 3 new Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) are presently underway to augment the waste processing capacity of the corporation. However, they are expected to be completed only by July 2026.
12. Having reached to this level, it would be appropriate for the Corporation to expedite the process by engaging more human power and complete them ahead of time. It is also stated that there were show cause notices issued by the TNPCB, levying penalty for non-compliance of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 and also for the discharge of the sewage water into Page 4 of 6 the Manjalneer Odai Canal. It is stated that the final orders are yet to be passed.
13. Though we understand the difficulty of completing the project, considering the urgency and also the basic amenities that should be provided, it would be appropriate for the Corporation to expedite all the projects, which are currently in progress and complete them ahead of time.
14. In the meanwhile, let the WRD start the work of eco- restoration of Nathapettai and Vaiyavur tanks without waiting for the twin lakes to be declared as a bird sanctuary in future. The WRD is directed to follow it up with the Government to start the work without further delay.
15. It is not out of place to mention that this matter is pending from 2020 and it is endeavoured to restore these two lakes to create a beautiful bird sanctuary. We, therefore, direct the Secretary to Government, Department of Environment (1st Respondent), the District Collector and the Commissioner, Kancheepuram City Municipal Corporation to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to make the lakes worth the wait.
16. The Corporation is also directed in this regard to continue to keep a vigil on these twin lakes, which can be developed into a bird sanctuary in future and made a tourist spot, which can augment income for the Corporation.
Page 5 of 617. To have a follow-up, see the progress shown and get the revised timeline, let the matter be listed on 10.03.2026.
Sd/-
Smt. Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana, JM Sd/-
Dr. Prashant Gargava, EM O.A. No.246/2020 (SZ), 08th January, 2026. AD.
Note:
Let the Registry communicate this order to the Secretary to Government of Tamil Nadu, Department of Environment by e-mail for compliance.Page 6 of 6