Gerugambakkam residents revive local pond

Three weeks ago, Mahesh Pichamuthu, associate director at Cognizant Technology Solutions (CTS) in the city and resident of Gerugambakkam, started overseeing the restoration works of a waterbody that has been choked by sewage inflow and garbage. “The water quality had degraded due to the sewage inflow and every time I passed by the pond, there was a horrible stench. My wife, who also works in my organisation, and I forwarded the request to CTS, who contacted the Environmentalist Foundation of India (EFI). 

Following this, representations were made to the local panchayat office for permission to restore the pond, work for which had started a few weeks ago,” he said. Highlighting the continuous degradation of the waterbody, Pichamuthu added, “During the restoration work, I had interacted with other residents, including an elderly bus driver. He narrated how he had swum in the pond as a child many decades ago. Only over the last decade, the degradation has accelerated. In fact, this pond was well connected to other waterbodies, but eventually encroachments had resulted in severing of this nexus. We are looking for ways to connect this pond to the nearest river, to ensure seamless waterflow.” Updating on the process, Vajiravel, a senior coordinator with EFI, said that excavation work is underway to remove the sludge. 

“The sewage inflow has been unchecked – which had posed a huge hurdle in the restoration process. The sludge of the last 10-15 years had collected in the waterbody and we had to remove it. Tons of garbage had to be removed too. Following this, we will be strengthening the bunds and providing inlet and outlet channels and ensure that sewage inflow is stopped. Fencing will reduce garbage dumping,” said the coordinator, adding that many urban water bodies are at threat due to social neglect, chocked by sewage, garbage and encroachments, eventually falling off the map.