Residents urge civic body to revive Chettiyar Agaram lake

“When we were young, we used to take water from this lake. Years passed and the level of water started to reduce. Then we started using water from borewells. Now, the water level has started to reduce in borewells, too. In addition, residents are throwing on the dry lakebed. During rainy season, the lake accumulates water again, but it not fit for use as the floating garbage makes it dirty. There was no response from the officials even after repeated complaints. We want the lake cleaned immediately,” said Vijaykumar R, a resident.

Recently, a group of residents filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to remove the encroachments near the lake. But it is still pending. “We want the officials to desilt the lake immediately so that the water level will increase after it rains,” said Pughazh V, another resident.

Speaking to DT Next, B Bala Murali, Assistant Engineer, Thundalam division, Greater Chennai Corporation, said, “Water resources department conducted a survey to find the water quality. Once a tender is passed, we will start the work to revive the lake and remove the encroachments.”