Chennai: Orders from National Green Tribunal (NGT) have fallen on deaf ears when it comes to the protection of polluted Korattur lake.
In a blatant violation, the civic authorities have failed to adhere to the last year’s direction by NGT to stop the discharge of industrial effluents from Ambattur and sewage water into the Korattur lake.
After heavy rains that lashed the city for the past one week, the officials have once again opened both the canals carrying the sewer and industrial waste and channeled them into the Korattur lake to reduce water inundation in flooded areas of Korattur.
“About a week ago when water was knee-deep, a few government officials inspected the area and the lake, and the next day they broke open the first canal to reduce waterlogging. When the residents protested, the authorities promised only excessive rainwater water would be let into the lake, however, the water turned greasy within two hours,” said S. Sekharan, founder, Korattur people welfare awareness trust.
Both Korattur and DTP colony culverts were closed after the NGT order and the water was diverted to Otteri Nullah. While the blockage of the Korattur culvert was broken on October 31, DTP colony culvert was broke open by a few locals on November 3 because the water levels were not receding in Tamil Nadu Housing Board Colony, the residents alleged.
As a result, the ground water table yet again depleted in the area and tap water is giving out foul smell as effluents and sewage water entered pipelines. “We are forced to buy drinking water and with the authorities themselves involved in the scene, we have nobody to complain,” rued P. Karthika, a resident.
Public Works Department (PWD) earlier mentioned about its plans to beautify the lake and open it for visitors, like in Chetpet. However, the sprawling 540-acre lake is yet again contaminated due to poor planning and poorly constructed storm water drains.
When contacted, an official from PWD admitted to have let sewer into the lake and said the officials were working on a system to divert excessive rainwater and water from both the canals into Cooum.
