Residents here have opposed the setting up of an effluent treatment plant at Cuddalore to discharge effluents from Tirupur- Erode textile units. As per the plan, the effluents would be pumped through a 400-kmlong pipeline to Cuddalore and treated here before letting into the sea.

The plant is jointly built by Southern India Mills’ Association (SIMA) and SIPCOT. Stating that the plant would make the already polluted Cuddalore and surrounding areas inhabitable, the Federation of All Residents Welfare Association has urged the Chief Minister to intervene and stop the construction.

The resident welfare association, in its letter, has stated the high instance of cancer among people in the region due to pollution. One out of every 20 patients seeking treatment at Adyar Cancer Institute was from Cuddalore.