CHENNAI – Residents of high-rises along Chennai’s Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) are once again facing a severe air pollution problem, with a pungent gas returning to localities like Kelambakkam, Siruseri, Padur, and Navalur. The foul odor, which had briefly subsided, has resurfaced in the last month, causing health issues such as throat irritation, coughing, nausea, and eye and skin irritation.
This is not the first time residents have dealt with the issue. In May 2025, officials from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) conducted a field study and identified a pharmaceutical company in the SIDCO industrial estate in Alathur as the source of a volatile organic compound (VOC). A recent sensor reading by TNPCB staff reportedly detected VOC levels between 0.5-0.7 ppm, though officials have been tight-lipped about the findings.
The pollution is affecting thousands of people in over 10 gated communities, including Valencia apartments and House of Hiranandani. Residents, including S. Amit from Navalur, describe the smell as “disorienting” and say it causes “brain fog.” They note that the problem is particularly concerning for infants, the elderly, and children attending the numerous schools in the area.
Residents are frustrated by the lack of action, given that the TNPCB has allegedly identified the source of the emissions. They are calling on authorities to take immediate and decisive measures to stop the pollution and protect the health of the community.