Suburban residents concerned over lake rejuvenation project

Chennai: The residents of Pallavaram in the city suburb are in a fix as to what would be the outcome of the Pallavaram periya eri rejuvenation project, so to speak.

It may be noted that the Municipality has currently taken up the restoration of the Pallavaram and Keelkattalai lakes at a cost of Rs 14.98 crore, owing to the pressure put by residents’ welfare associations and activists.

But what has left the locals fuming is that the Municipality has allegedly not stopped the sewage inflow, before kicking off the garbage removal work and is constructing new Storm Water Drain (SWD). However, the administration has denied the allegations and maintains that the project is yet to begin.

In addition to this, the civic body is also accused of providing amenities like road facility, underground drainage and electricity to the encroachers.

“All the SWDs have been interconnected with the inlet channel of the Pallavaram lake. As the sewage from the households are directed to flow through the SWDs which ends up in the lake, it is the waterbody that is bearing the brunt,” say sources, who also claim that the Municipality is constructing a new storm water outlet and is planning to join it with the underground drainage pipes.

“If necessary steps are taken in this regard, the SWD which would carry the rainwater would end up emptying in the underground channel which would worsen the situation,” comments David Manohar, an activist with Arappor Iyakkam.

When residents, along with Arappor Iyakkam, appealed to the Municipality requesting for a Detailed Project Report (DPR), ‘News Today’was told that the officials did not revert to the team till date.

Early this week, when the Municipality Commissioner convened a meeting with the residents who have encroached, he is said to have assured them of their safety and promised of rejuvenating the lake without evacuating them. It is now claimed that the official was transferred the same evening.

When the Municipal Engineer was reached for a comment, he denied the charges that new outlets are being constructed and said,”We are setting up new interception drains that collects the sewage water from the four inlet points and would be directed to treat the water.”