Mamallan Reservoir Could Boost Water Supply, But Fishermen Fear Loss of Livelihood
The representatives of fishermen who took part in the meeting said their livelihood will be affected since the reproduction of fish, prawns and crabs would come down, affecting their livelihood
CHENNAI: Water resources, revenue and Chengalpett district officials have conducted a public hearing on the proposed Mamallam reservoir project and explained the benefits of the scheme, including improvement of groundwater table and drinking water to lakhs of people. The representatives of fishermen who took part in the meeting said their livelihood will be affected since the reproduction of fish, prawns and crabs would come down, affecting their livelihood.
The public hearing for the Rs. 342 crore project, comprising 99.51 acres to store 1.65 m cft of water, was held at Thiruporur on Tuesday. The water resources department officials, who took part in the meeting, said storing water in a large area would naturally lead to improvement of the groundwater table and help agricultural operations in the area. They explained the reservoir would provide drinking water to lakhs of people living along the ECR and the IT companies, educational institutions and hospitals in the rapidly developing area.
The rainwater received at Thirukkazhukundram and Thiruporur areas in Chengalpet was filling the water bodies and the surplus water was draining into the sea through the Buckingham canal. The government decided to construct a reservoir near Thiruporur to store the draining water to use for drinking water purposes, agriculture and improving the water table. The reservoir was named after Pallava King Narasimhavarman’s title, Mamallan.
The officials said the groundwater table in the areas along the East Coast Road (ECR) and Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) would rise, helping the new residential areas, commercial complexes and corporate companies to get water for their use. The government was also planning to supply drinking water to the people living in the suburban areas using the new reservoir and supply water for agriculture also, they said.
The reservoir would be built near the Buckingham canal coming under the Thirupporur and Thirukkazhukundram taluks.
Fishermen’s representatives said they fish in the Buckingham canal since they get a good catch of fish, prawns and crabs. They complained that their livelihood would be affected if a reservoir is built, adding that people living in 16 fishing hamlets are dependent on the canal. The production of fish, prawn and crabs would be affected and the nearby areas would be severely affected during disasters like tsunami.
The officials said the area would develop in a big way after the construction of the reservoir and the water and fish resources would improve, adding that there would not be adverse impact in the area. They also promised to take the fishermen’s grievances to the attention of the new government which would take a decision on the project after considering the pros and cons.
