Chennai: Around 100 residents of Porur, including children, formed a human chain near Porur lake calling on the state government to take over a portion of the lake belonging to a private institution.
Led by CPI (M) MLA from Maduravoyal constituency, G. Beem Rao, the participants under the banner of the People'’s Group for Safeguarding Porur Lake, whose members are representatives of resident welfare associations in Porur, held placards and demanded that the state stop building a bund across the lake.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, K. Dhandapani, secretary of the people's group and a resident of Ramakrishna Nagar, said the government had given land and resources over the years to the private institution. The state should not hesitate to take over a portion of the lake belonging to them, as it was a matter of public welfare.
“It used to be the Porur Retteri (twin lakes). They [government] already gave one half of the lake and SRMC also obtained acres of space to build the hospital and other buildings at a subsidised cost during MGR’s period,” said Dhandapani.
“Though it may be true that a portion of the lake bed here is also registered in their name, the government cannot say that they will demarcate it to prevent encroachment when the city is suffering from a water crisis. They should consider taking over the portion,”Dhandapani added.
G. Natarajan, treasurer of the people's group and a resident of Mangala Nagar, said that even if the government built the bund, it would mean little in the scheme of things.
“The hospital is drawing water from this portion of the lake. The bund can neither stop them from drawing water nor recharge the lake bed,” he said.
