Sewage let into Korattur lake

Chennai: Clearly defying the order from the southern bench of the National Green Tribunal, sewerage carrying private tankers is disposing of the load at Korattur lake.

The violation is causing a serious inconvenience to residents, whose lives have turned miserable owing to the bad stench and contamination. The lake has become a main point of disposal for the lorries carrying sewage, from various localities of Ambattur. Though the activity stopped for a few days after the Tribunal stayed the disposal of sewerage and effluent water at the lake, last December, it was resumed, much deliberately.

It may be noted that the majority of the localities in Ambattur zone is not benefited with an underground drainage system, thus prompting them to rely on septic tank system. The tankers, rather than treating the water are disposing of it in the water bodies.

S .Sekharan, a petitioner and a resident, said, “They were earlier leaving the untreated sewage water during nights. The situation has deteriorated as the sewage is disposed even during the daytime, at the Mathanakuppam side of the lake.”

“More than 50 lorries dispose of the water each day, resulting in bad stench and a threat of diseases,” said Sekharan. Deccan Chronicle earlier reported on the encroachments along side the Korattur lake, post that the revenue officials had earmarked them for eviction. However, residents lament that the procedure was not completed.

“Revenue officials had marked the site for removing encroachments. Though they had removed on one side, the start of the canal is full of encroachments,” said Ganesh, a resident.

The blame game never ends as various departments — Chennai corporation, metro water, revenue department and public works department – takes no responsibility of the gross violation. Efforts to avail information from the departments had not fructified.