Chennai: Buildings discharging sewage into storm-water drains face ₹5 lakh fine
The Greater Chennai Corporation and Metrowater will conduct joint inspections to identify illegal connections and block them across the city.
The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) will penalise buildings that discharge sewage into storm-water drains with fines reaching ₹5 lakh, according to The Hindu.
The civic body and the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (Metrowater) will carry out joint field inspections to find and block these illegal outlets. Commissioner G.S. Sameeran has issued a circular directing officials to disconnect such connections.
Fines vary based on the building type and use. Residential owners of ordinary buildings face a ₹10,000 penalty, while commercial premises will be fined ₹25,000. For special buildings, the charges are ₹50,000 for residential and ₹1 lakh for commercial use.
Multi-storeyed residential buildings will attract a ₹2 lakh penalty, while those used for commercial purposes face a fine of ₹5 lakh. The Corporation stated that these illegal connections cause rainwater to stagnate on roads during the monsoon.
A joint register will track locations of illegal discharge, responsible owners, blocked connections, and collected fines. Zonal officers must appoint nodal officers to coordinate these inspections and report to the Commissioner.
Building owners will be advised to get authorised sewer connections through Metrowater. Details regarding the fines collected must be uploaded to the GCC mobile application.