Chennai, Aug. 24:
Residents have urged the Water Resources Department (WRD) to immediately clear water hyacinth and begin restoration work at Perungudi Lake before the onset of the monsoon.
The Perungudi Lake Area Neighbourhood Environment Transformation (PLANET) forum has called for dredging, deepening and removal of water hyacinth from the lake, saying residents have been waiting for restoration for nearly 25 years.
PLANET members said residents had even been forced to manually remove water hyacinth because of delays in official action. They also raised concerns over sewage entering the lake through the stormwater drain network on its southern side.
The damaged perimeter wall has added to the problem, with residents alleging that broken sections have enabled people and commercial establishments to dump waste along the bunds and into the water. The forum has sought reconstruction of the wall or installation of fencing to prevent further dumping.
A ₹10-crore Detailed Project Report for rejuvenation and beautification of the lake was prepared in 2025. PLANET secretary P Sajeevan said representatives had met the consultant in April 2025, but there had been no subsequent update on the project.
The forum has also sought coordinated action by the GCC and WRD. While the lake falls within Greater Chennai Corporation limits and its bunds are maintained by the Corporation, desilting is under the WRD. Residents have suggested that the GCC take complete ownership to ensure coordinated restoration.
The lake, which originally covered about 50 acres, has reportedly shrunk to around 35 acres because of encroachments. Residents have therefore called for the boundaries to be demarcated, encroachments removed and water hyacinth cleared before the monsoon.
A senior WRD official said the water hyacinth would be cleared once general maintenance work begins and that the status of the ₹10-crore rejuvenation project would be checked with senior officials.