Pollution by closed chromium factory, untreated effluents remain unsolved

More than 30 years after the closure of the defunct chromium factory of the Tamil Nadu Chromate and Chemicals Limited (TCCL) in the SIPCOT complex near Collectorate office in Ranipet town, the spacious factory and the tonnes of uncleared hexavalent chromium wastes still remains a key point of discussion among voters in the Ranipet Assembly constituency.

Established in 1975, TCCL aimed to provide key raw material requirements for leather tannery units in Ranipet, Ambur, Pernambut, and Vaniyambadi in the undivided Vellore district. The factory also provided jobs for local youth.

Over the years, incurring losses, labour problems, and environment concerns have resulted in permanent closure of the factory in 1995. Despite its closure, the company has not safely disposed of an estimated 2.25 lakh tonnes of chromium sludge from the factory. “Seepage of sludge from the dumped wastes could be clearly visible during monsoon when water in surrounding farm wells turns yellowish. Every government that comes to power promises to dispose of accumulated chromium sludge in the factory safely. However, nothing has changed at the ground level,” said L.C. Mani, 73, a resident in Ranipet.

Areas like VOC Nagar, Mukundarayapuram, and Agravaram villages are the nearest habitations to the defunct factory.. Residents in these areas said that groundwater has been highly contaminated. As a result, they have been completely dependent on tanker lorries for domestic consumption.

They use water from borewells for other purposes like bathing only to a limited extent, as children and senior citizens were reportedly affected with skin allergy. “Huge costs for the State exchequer to safely dispose of accumulated chromium sludge has been an impediment for government agencies to clean the factory premises. As per estimates, around ₹650 crore is required for its safe disposal,” said V. Ramesh, a local environmentalist.

Pollution is not confined to the defunct chromium factory in the constituency. Ranipet, Walajah, and Arcot are known for leather tanneries since Independence when at least 150 units, mostly small-scale, operated in these congested towns.

Residents said untreated effluents from these units, especially smaller ones, were discharged into Palar River. The untreated effluents flow through villages, including Mathangal Mottur, Muthukadai, V.C. Mottur, Vannivedu, Devathanam, Puliankannu, Nawlaq, and Gudimalur before joining the river.

The river is a major water source for Arcot, Walajah, and Ranipet. Unlike Ranipet, which is dominated by industries, including leather tanneries and small and medium-scale units, Arcot and Walajah still retain their ruralness with vast tracts of agricultural lands. Discharge of effluents have remained a major poll issue during elections every time.

Another issue that plagues voters in the constituency is the lack of proper connectivity by buses and trains. Commuters do not have direct and frequent bus connectivity to key cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, and Vijayawada. Commuters in Ranipet have to go to Arcot to board buses to Bengaluru.

Likewise, commuters in the constituency have to travel to Arakkonam to board trains to go to cities like Vijayawada, Vishakhapatnam, and Hyderabad as many express trains do not halt at railway stations in Ranipet, Sholinghur and Walajah.

Residents also complain about irregular water supply, defunct streetlights, lack of recreational facilities like children parks and playgrounds, and upgraded government hospitals.

The incumbent Ranipet MLA and Minister for Handlooms and Textiles R. Gandhi has won two consecutive terms in 2016 and 2021. He also won in 1996 and 2006 as DMK candidate of the constituency. For 2026 Assembly polls, Minister for Handlooms and Textiles R. Gandhi has been renominated by the DMK. Mr. Gandhi will contest for the constituency for the fifth time

V.M. Karthikeyan of the BJP in the NDA, Dhaheera of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), and Tharikka Salman of the Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) are the other contenders.

The Ranipet Assembly constituency has been a stronghold of the DMK as the party won at least seven times as against its archrival AIADMK, which won thrice from the seat. Katpadi MLA and Minister for Water Resources Duraimurugan had won twice from Ranipet constituency in 1977 and 1980 as the DMK candidate.

Published – April 08, 2026 05:30 am IST