Residents oppose sewage treatment plant at Elathur

Residents of Elathur oppose a sewage treatment plant, citing environmental concerns and its location within a Biodiversity Heritage Site.

Residents of Elathur Town Panchayat and neighbouring Anjanur, Koodakarai, and Andipalayam panchayats in Nambiyur Union have strongly opposed the proposed construction of a sewage treatment plant (STP) at Elathur.

The opposition follows resolutions passed in the Gram Sabha meetings of the concerned panchayats, in which the public unanimously objected to the project. The Elathur Panchayat has also passed a resolution opposing the commencement of work.

In a petition submitted to the district administration here on Monday (February 9, 2026), residents pointed out that the proposed site falls within an area declared as the fourth Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS) by the State government. They expressed concern that the project could adversely affect the surrounding environment, which includes an apartment complex housing about 400 families, temples, densely populated residential areas, agricultural lands, and deep bore wells.

Fearing groundwater contamination, environmental degradation, and health hazards, the residents have submitted petitions to various departmental officials urging the authorities to reconsider the location.

The residents have requested the district administration to halt the proposed work at Elathur and shift the sewage treatment plant to an alternative site that would not pose a threat to biodiversity or public welfare.