Chennai: From industrial emissions in Manali and Ennore, to the festering Kodungaiyur dumpyard, pollution has become an election issue in north Chennai. Communities have warned that they will boycott the polls if their long-pending demands fail to find a place in parties’ poll manifestos.“We have been urging the govt to shift the dumpyard from the residential area and halt work on the waste-to-energy incinerator. Petitions have been submitted to the state govt and the political parties. But none of them has assured action. If these concerns are not addressed soon during the election campaign, we will not vote,” said D Neelakannan, president of Tamil Nadu alliance of residents’ welfare associations in North Chennai.Similarly, in Manali and Ennore industrial belts, toxic emissions from oil refineries and other polluting industries in the area continue to pose a threat to the residents. “The emissions are causing serious health hazards, especially lung diseases. There have even been deaths linked to gas leaks. Our requests to shut down such harmful industries have fallen on deaf ears,” said T K Shanmugan, president of federation of North Chennai residents welfare associations.Residents have also demanded a monthly doorstep medical check-up to monitor lung and organ health, and provide necessary treatment. They added that political parties seem least bothered to even offer assurances of a solution if elected.
