Illegal discharge of sewage into drains may attract penalty of up to ₹5 lakh

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The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) will impose fines of up to ₹5 lakh on buildings found discharging sewage into storm-water drains, besides initiating legal action against those responsible.

The civic body and the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board will conduct joint inspections across the city to identify and block illegal connections.

The penalties, approved by a GCC Council resolution, vary according to the building’s category and use. Owners of ordinary buildings will be fined ₹10,000 for residential premises and ₹25,000 for commercial premises. For special buildings, the fines are ₹50,000 and ₹1 lakh, respectively.

Multi-storeyed buildings on residential premises will attract a penalty of ₹2 lakh and those on commercial premises, ₹5 lakh.

Commissioner G.S. Sameeran has issued a circular directing the GCC and Metrowater officials to conduct joint field inspections, and disconnect and block illegal outlets.

A joint register will be maintained with details of locations where sewage is discharged into storm-water drains or onto roads, the owners or occupiers responsible, connections blocked, and fines imposed or collected.

Building owners will be guided to obtain authorised sewer connections through Metrowater. The circular says storm-water drains must not be used for sewage disposal under any circumstances.

Zonal officers have been instructed to appoint nodal officers to coordinate inspections, ensure follow-up action, and submit reports to the Commissioner. Details of the fines collected must be promptly uploaded on the GCC mobile application.

The Corporation said illegal sewage connections obstruct the flow of rainwater, leading to water stagnation on roads during the monsoon.

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