Tiruneermalai lake turns dumping ground
According to a PWD official, the canal is being encroached upon on either side by residents since the last four years.
Chennai: Encroachments, waste disposal and silt in the storm water canals connecting Tiruneermalai lake near Pammal is posing a threat of disease outbreak in the town panchayat besides polluting the historical water body.
Residents and public work department officials pass the blame on each other, continuing the deliberate pollution of Tiruneermalai lake. While residents allege that PWD officials do not clear the silt, officials blame the residents for encroaching into the canal.
According to a PWD official, the canal is being encroached upon on either side by residents since the last four years.
“There are encroachments on the canal, obstructing the water flow. We carry out eviction drive, following the demarcation by the Revenue Department,” the official told DC.
“Officials desilt the canal, only to take pictures for evidence. Nothing is done properly,” said A. Silvaris, a resident.
Foul smell emanates as the open canal is filled with kitchen and industrial waste.
“The canal now resembles a sewage line that breeds mosquitoes. The chances of disease outbreak are so high,” said P. Logaratchagan, President of Ranga Nagar welfare association.
As the storm water canal is blocked, excess water from the lake has no outlet, thus posing the danger of flooding even in mild showers. “We had a worst experience during last year’s floods as the excess water from the lake entered the houses,” said G. Valarmathi, a resident.