National Green Tribunal bench asks government to reply to plea on lake protection

Chennai: The southern bench of National Green Tribunal has directed the government to file its reply on a petition seeking a direction to the government to protect Villivakkam lake.

When a petition filed by Arappor Iyakkam represented by its managing trustee Jayaram Venkatesan came up for hearing before the bench comprising judicial member Justice Dr P. Jyothimani and expert member P. S. Rao on Thursday, the bench directed authorities to file a reply.

Jayaram Venkatesan, in the petition, submitted that Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewage Board proposed to set up a desalination plant on the lake. He said the Villivakkam lake, spreading on 39 acres of land, has been facing the threat.

The authorities had dumped debris obtained from Chennai Metro Rail Ltd project work.

The board proposed to set up pumping station in the water resource. The Chennai corporation has proposed to maintain 27.5 acres and pumping station and desalination plant would come up on 11.5 acres of the land. The petitioner stated the works would affect the lake.

Hence, he sought government to protect the lake. The bench directed the Chennai Corporation, the board and other authorities to file a reply and posted the matter to December 18 for further hearing.