Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu – A startling report submitted by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) to the Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has found extremely high concentrations of mercury and other heavy metals in water bodies and ground water around Neyveli where NLC India Ltd. is based. The report corroborates an investigation started in 2023 by environment NGO Poovulagin Nanbargal (Friends of the Earth), presenting a bleak picture of environmental pollution.
From official TNPCB records, mercury levels in surface water samples were an astronomical 115 times the safe limit, and groundwater samples had levels 62 times the acceptable amount. These results are based on water samples obtained in Neyveli and its surrounding areas such as Parangipettai.
The study unveiled the existence of many toxic heavy metals such as nickel, cadmium, lead, zinc, selenium, and boron to pollute water sources consumed by local communities. Alarming finds, samples from North Vellur & Tholkappiyar Nagar contained mercury in drinking water tanks 250 times above the permissible limit. This is especially unfortunate because it shoots down previous attempts by the TNPCB to discredit the NGO’s initial report, now confirmed by their December 2024 report.
Of the 17 lakes surveyed, an unprecedented 15 had toxic levels of mercury, from 0.0012 mg/l to 0.115 mg/l. The Canterbury Canal was specifically determined to have 115 times more mercury than the limit. Despite this, the TNPCB has argued that these alarming levels are not a concern because the lakes are classified under IS 2296 Class E (not fit for drinking or irrigation), a stance that is now facing strong opposition.
Environmental engineer Prabhakaran Veera Arasu of Poovulagin Nanbargal, who has moved an intervention petition that is being heard by the NGT, highlighted the long-term health implications for the people affected. Senior advocates Radhakrishnan and Vetriselvan, appearing for the petitioners, highlighted the gravity of the situation. The hearing is to resume on June 12, 2025.
TNPCB’s groundwater testing at nine areas detected mercury pollution at six places, with Vanathirayapuram having mercury content 62 times the permissible limit (0.0626 mg/l). People living in these villages have been drinking this polluted groundwater for decades, with serious health implications.
Poovulagin Nanbargal also challenged the exclusion of public water bodies such as Valayamadevi, Paravanar, Valaja Lake, and Ayyan Lake from consideration as polluted waters, claiming that such high concentrations of mercury occurring naturally are less likely.
These disclosures have led to widespread public outcry and raised fears regarding the possible environmental and health impact. The concern now shifts towards NLC India Ltd. and the government response to industrial contamination in the Neyveli region.
“Because the contamination level is at an extreme level, we urge Tamil Nadu Government to form a special medical board to check the health of the people,” appealed Poovulagin Nanbargal, emphasizing the necessity for immediate action to safeguard the health and wellbeing of the concerned communities.
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