CMRL debris in Villivakkam lake worries residents

An RTI reply revealed that the Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewage Board (CMWSSB), which has the control of the lake, had granted permission to the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) to dump soil, removed while boring tunnels, in the lake, which is a clear violation. Residents of SIDCO Nagar recalled the tough times they faced during the 2015 floods, when the water from the lake inundated their homes. The stagnant water had to be pumped out using motors almost a fortnight later. 

“The soil excavated during metro rail work was dumped in the lake, blocking the inlet channels. After the incessant rains of December 2015, this caused the flooding of SIDCO Nagar, which is a low-lying area. There was about five feet of water in most of the houses. Later, we discovered that the dumping of soil was the main reason for flooding and have approached the Mayor, Corporation and even zonal officers to remove the debris and restore the lake at the earliest,” said a 65-yearold retired railway employee. Following this, an RTI was filed by Arappor Iyakkam, addressed to the CMWSSB. The response sated that the ‘Chennai Metro Rail was allowed to dump soil removed from tunnel boring work’. The permission letter stated that the excavated soil would be used to fill up low lying areas. However, the CMRL, in its response to the RTI, denied that Villivakkam lake was a disposal site. The debris has filled up nearly 20 acres of the 39-acre lake. Jayaram Venkatesan, convenor of Arappor Iyakkam, said it is unclear if that area is allocated for building of a sewage treatment plant or for any other purpose. 

“Be that as it may, this is a clear violation of many rules. Any disturbance of the wetland is considered to be an encroachment. The mud has blocked all the inlet channels. In addition, the inlets from Korattur to Villivakkam have been bypassed and taken to the Otteri Nullah. These inlets should be unclogged and the lake must be restored at the earliest. We are planning to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) demanding a restoration,” he added. The dumping has raised many other problems. Harirangan pointed out, “Before the dumping started, there was enough bore water but with the lake shrinking, the water level has also come down.”