Korattur lake is in the news for all reasons nowadays. Recent developments such as eviction of encroachers have been good but it is now revealed that NGT orders have been left on the shelves and are yet to see light of day.
In 2016, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) issued a directive to stop the discharge of industrial effluents and sewage into Korattur lake.
Further, the Public Works Department allotted Rs 14 crore for rejuvenation works at the lake last
year.
A report stated that a petition is pending in the Southern bench of the NGT on behalf of Korattur People’s Welfare and Awareness Trust, for the restoration of the lake.
The case, in which about seven industries in the Ambattur Industrial Estate, including Aavin factory, have been included as respondents, has seen the tribunal issue several orders against discharge of untreated industrial effluents into the lake.
The members are also planning to file a PIL in the Madras High Court. Residents stated that the NGT order has not been followed and the lake is still being contaminated, mostly after daylight runs out.
“It is during midnight that the workers open the blocked canals using heavy machinery and close it after about an hour,” said, president, Ambattur Waterbodies Protection Movement, SP Nedumaran.
The members of the movement and activists took the issue up to the PWD and despite work being carried at the lake, industrial waste still floats, waiting to contaminate any incoming fresh water.
It must be noted that officials opened the closed canals (after the NGT order) to prevent water logging earlier last year.
As far as the rejuvenation works are concerned, bund was constructed at the lake before desilting took place, said Nedumaran. “No desilting works means no additional water storage,” he said.
With the construction of bunds, authorities have made it clear that they do not want to carry out any work there, residents alleged.