Korattur lake requires boundaries, desilting

Chennai: The residents of Korattur lake were shell-shocked on Thursday after the Corporation workers broke the walls of a stormwater drain, allowing sewage water to pour into the lake bed. The incident occurred after two days of rainfall in the city.

In 2016, activists in the area had filed a case with the National Green Tribunal to stop the discharge of sewage and sludge into the lake. “Two canals which used to carry the impurities into the lake were shut off following a stay order from the NGT,” says Shekaran S, an activist working for the betterment of the lake.

The sigh of relief didn't last long as the PWD broke open the canals during Cyclone Vardah and the floods in December 2015 and let the water in to avoid flooding. “In the name of 'saving the people,' they destroy the lakes,” says Shekaran.

The canals were again closed in 2017 but the Corporation, who according to them has no right to break anything, broke it again. Now, he, along with an association formed to restore the lake, are planning to take this up with the Madras High court.

The  repeated breaking of walls is being blamed on the officials' inefficiency and lack of planning. “For them this is an easy method.

They take tenders wroth Rs 15-16 crores and don't desilt stormwater drains. They pocket the money,” he says.

“We are requesting a boundary wall for the Korattur lake with demarcated limits. Further, regular cleaning of the lake, including desilting, is required,” he said.