Activists decry failure to channel run-off water

Water experts express concerns and blame the state government, particularly Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) and PWD officials, for allowing rainwater to go waste in huge quantities. Chembarambakkam, Cholavaram, Poondi and Red Hills are the main sources of drinking water to the city. 

However, total storage in these lakes has not even crossed 2.5 tmc of water, while over 10 tmc of rainwater is ending up as run-off, due to improper water management. A Veerappan, former Special Chief Engineer, Chennai region, PWD, said, “In the early 1980s, Chennai had only 20 per cent of buildings and the remaining 80 per cent was vacant. However, things are different now. A number of buildings have come up in the catchment areas of the lakes.” 

He also alleged that officials were not preparing a proper storm water drainage system.  Professor S Janakarajan, Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS), an expert on waterbodies, said “The government should have taken precautionary measures. 

Announcing projects and allotting funds after the North-East monsoon hit the state are a clear indication that the government remained unprepared.” The expert also added that over 10 tmc of rainwater could have been wasted in the last one week; however, the government is keen to provide only relief materials and not channelise water to the waterbodies. 

However, the PWD officials claimed that they undertook lake improvements systematically. V Mani, Superintending Engineer, Palar Basin Circle, PWD, said that all the PWD officials have been pressed into action and they are desilting at some points in link canals and rivers, where rainwater is stagnant. 

When asked about the low level water in the lakes, the SE maintained, “There was not much rain in and around these lakes.” He admitted that there was a huge encroachment in the canals through which water is flowing into lakes and all the stakeholders including GCC and CMDA should ascertain the ground reality.