Chennai: Korattur lake that has been grappling with encroachments is seeing a change as officials from the Water Resources Department (WRD) have finally started evicting people from the lake bunds.
Over a 1,000 people allegedly built houses at Korattur lake. Parts of areas such as Muthamizh Nagar, Moogambikai Nagar, S S Nagar and Dhanalakshmi Nagar, comprising 550 structures have been built upon the lake. They had been served notices by the WRD a few months ago.
However, there was tension at Kallikuppam as residents resorted to stone-pelting and threatened self-immolation, opposing action by the police and authorities. The residents had earlier staged a protest in front of the Ambattur tahsildar office.
According to residents at the spot, a few women threatened to immolate themselves while a couple more attempted suicide. The police prevented any life from being lost.
The irate mob pelted stones on the police personnel, in the process damaging excavators. The situation was brought under control after the officials held talks and assured that those evicted would be resettled in Perumbakkam.
Officials stated that around 209 structures were removed and the remaining would also be cleared. After the eviction, the department would begin work to strengthen the bund for a distance of 3 km and develop a park alongside the lake, the officials said.
As far as residents not part of the encroachers are concerned, they seem to be happy with the action.
“Water bodies are not meant for building houses. Encroachers put up a small hut and go on to build houses there after years. Political intervention and lack of action on the side of the officials allow them to get away with such action. What is worse is that because of their actions, water cannot be stored to the fullest in these lakes. It is time they were evicted,” said Rathinavel, a resident.
He added, “It would be only fair to see action being taken against authorities who have been mum about the issue for a long time. Only then will the action be complete. In my view, the people set up settlements there because they were not questioned. The lake has to be secured, fenced and kept from harm’s way.”