Chennai: The salient features of Velacheri, Chennai, are the temples and their tanks. In fact, some of the tanks here are as old as 1,000 years. But sadly, many of them are not being maintained well and have been turned into dumping grounds.
Taking up the issue, a group of residents came together to revive the 1,000-year-old Dhandeeswaram temple tank. Now, with monthly and yearly maintenance, the ground water in Gandhi Salai and Theradi Street is well recharged.
Like-minded persons such as former Councillor V Shankar and Tansi Nagar resident S Kumararaja began the initiative to revive the pond in 2002. “It was on the verge of becoming a dumping ground. We formed a group and desilted the tank with a lot of support from the public. Spread over an acre, it is one of the main attractions in the locality now. Not many know that within the Dhandeeswaram tank there is another tank of about 25 square feet and 20-feet deep. We repaired the whole area,” said Kumararaja.
“It is a very old temple, the tank must not be abandoned or misused. After the restoration, the tank has been instrumental in recharging ground water in the locality. We white wash and carry out repair works of the tank once a year, and it is cleaned monthly,” he further added.
This is an example of how residents’ initiatives can help save our heritage and environment. However, this has not been the case with the 200-year-old tank opposite the Gangai Amman Koil, Brahmin Street. It is in a bad state. Covered with water hyacinth and other plants, the tank is highly contaminated. Earlier, Metrowater used to supply the tank water in and around Velacheri.
A pumping station and a water purifier stand testimony to this even today. Natarkuttai in Nadar Street, Velacheri, is in an even more pitiable condition, with a lot of garbage being dumped into it everyday. It’s high time that authorities take measures to preserve our reservoirs.
Photos: AR JAYAKUMAR