Just four months after restoration, Nemilichery lake filled with hyacinth

The local body has failed to arrest the inflow of contaminated water into the waterbody and as a result, it is filled with hyacinths now.

The secretary of Federation of Civic and Welfare Associations of Pallavapuram municipality, C Murgaiyyan, said, “The civic body had constructed an underground drainage network to arrest the flow of polluted water. But the contaminated water is still flowing into the lake as encroachments are yet to be cleared. No action will solve the problem till encroachments are removed.”

Last year, the lake was rejuvenated with the help of volunteers who funded for the restoration works.

“The residents had spent nearly Rs 12 lakh for the rejuvenation. But the households located in the vicinity of the lake are dumping garbage and letting wastewater from the kitchen directly into the lake,” said an office-bearer of the association.

More than a hundred volunteers took part in the restoration work which was commenced to mark the environment day in 2018.

Subsequently, the PWD aided them to remove the mounds of waste from the vicinity of the lake and also ensured the safe disposal of it. Also, they carried out deepening works as part of the whole exercise.

The lake was restored with an aim to recharge the groundwater and tide over the water crisis in the neighborhood. “The local body had sent nearly 20 notices to the encroachers. Further, a UGD network has been put in place and a bunding line is underway. We are taking all measures to remove the encroachments,” an official said.

“This is a problem which pertains in various lakes, including Ambattur and Korattur. Various government departments are already working to remove the encroachments from the waterbodies. Further, all the steps are being taken to arrest the flow of sewage into the lake,” a senior PWD official said.