Sewage turns Veeraraghavan lake into mini Cooum

Situated within the administration of Tiruneemalai panchayat, the Veeraraghavan lake was the source of ground water for Chromepet New colony, Lakshmipuram and Sanatorium. Residents claim that despite the rampant encroachment and neglect, the municipality has done little to protect or revive the lake.

Moreover, some added that even though there is an underground drainage system in their neighbourhood, several residents of Lakshmipuram, Chromepet New colony and the MEPZ zone discharging their sewage into the lake.

Apart from the foul smell, the lake is also a breeding ground for mosquitoes which poses a serious health hazard. A resident of Lakshimpuram said, “The lake is situated right behind the Chromepet government hospital and the patients and staff are constantly harassed by mosquitoes.”

Residents also claimed that the civic body seems reluctant to take care of the lake. V Santhanam, a social activist and president of Pallavapuram welfare association, said, “Nobody wants to take up the responsibility of the lake. While the Tiruneemalai town panchayat officials said the lake comes under St Thomas Mount Panchayat union, the St Thomas Mount panchayat union officials said it is not their work and it should be carried out by the town panchayat.”

Santhanam added, “The municipality officials are not taking any steps to secure the lake. We have filed a petition several times but no action has been taken. This has turned Veeraraghavan lake into a mini Cooum in Tiruneemalai”.

When contacted, the St Thomas Mount Block Development Officer (BDO) said the lake was under their control until 1989 when the Tiruneemalai village panchayat was upgraded to town panchayat. Since then, the lake was the panchayat’s responsibility. 

Former president of Tiruneermalai Town Panchayat Kalaivanikamraj said, “We planned to restore the lake, but we did not get proper support from the officials. There were also some political problems that prevented us from making any progress.”