Chennai: Violating various environmental acts and the order of the southern bench of National Green Tribunal, deliberate garbage disposal and encroachments continues to occur at Chitlapakkam lake near Tambaram, thus shrinking the water body to less than half of its original size.
Loads of bio-medical waste from the government hospitals and untreated sewage water from the municipality pollutes the historical lake, which once spanned across 86-acres. Adding to the issue, residents allege that the local politicians have constructed religious structures and marriage halls on the lakebed, to make quick money.
“Bio medical waste from the TB hospital at Tambaram Sanatorium is dumped here against the NGT order. Also, non-treated sewage water and unprocessed garbage has killed the marine life here,” said Sunil Jayaram, a civic activist.
According to an RTI reply availed by the residents recently, the lake has shrunk to 33.95 acres from 86 acres. “Inside the temples constructed on the encroached lake are the marriage halls that are rented out by local politicians. A Sai Baba temple constructed recently speaks about the violation,” said Jayaram adding that the water body is covered with hyacinth plants that kill marine life.
If pollution continues, residents predict that the lake would froth anytime.
Despite allotting an alternative space at Kirapakkam village for waste dumping, the town panchayat has failed to arrest the existing pollution. However, officials from the panchayat said, “The proposal is on, even though it is still not being executed at Kirapakkam village yet.”
“Strength in the Chitlapakkam government school (located close to the lake) has reduced as students experienced health problems due to burning of waste,” said K. Ramakrishna, executive committee member, Sri Sarva Mangala Nagar Resident Welfare Association.
“Complaints to Chief Minister Cell keep shuttling between public works department, Chitlapakkam town panchayat and district collector, even though a permanent solution seem to be a far cry,” said Jayaram. An official from Chitlapakkam town panchayat cited lack of funds as reason for not maintaining the lake and refused to comment further.
