Coimbatore: Dead fishes float in Valankulam water tank, locals blame textile firm for toxicity

Locals residing near the Valankulam area, were on Tuesday treated to the sight of hundreds of dead fishes floating on the surface of the Valankulam water tank.

They accused the textile factories of dumping their toxic dyeing wastage into the water that may have caused the deaths of the fishes. They further added that the water in Valunkulam tank is now unfit for any use which even includes agricultural usage.

In an official statement issued by the Water Distribution Department, that they are not willing to pass the control of water distribution to local parties.

#TamilNadu: Hundreds of fish found dead at Valankulam tank in Coimbatore. Locals says,”Reason for death of fish is discharge of toxic dyes into the water tank by textile dyeing units situated nearby.The water remains polluted&is unfit even for agricultural use. We demand a probe” pic.twitter.com/0jRcqqoYkU

— ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2018

Municipal Administration Minister SP Velumani at a function made the announcement of inaugurating projects worth Rs 113.52 crore as part of the Smart Cities mission. Under this scheme, the Valankulam water tank is also expected to be upgraded.

Earlier in the first week of July, the civic body had said that they were planning to rejuvenate lakes including the Periyakulam, Selva Chintamani and Valankulam tanks at a cost of Rs 87.88 crores.

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A report in Times of India even stated that the Coimbatore Corporation has submitted a manifesto for the complete restoration of the lakes, which may cost upto Rs 357 crore.

An official of the civic body had reportedly said that, “Under the project, we will be setting up several micro Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs).”

In a similar incident, thousands of dead fish surfaced in a large pond in Mukesh Colony, Madhya Pradesh last month. The locals panicked when the count kept on increasing every passing day. The problem is still unresolved and is currently under investigation.