IN A STATE OF NEGLECT: The lake as it is today. — Photo: K. Manikandan

TAMBARAM: There seems to be some hope for a fresh lease of life for the Sembakkam lake near Tambaram, with the Tamil Nadu Assembly making a proposal to initiate improvement work and protect the lake under a scheme of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development.

The proposal was tabled in the Assembly by the Estimates Committee on April 11 under the subject "paasanam" — irrigation — (Subject No. 47). Incidentally, the Sembakkam lake is the only water body in Kancheepuram that has been named by the Estimates Committee for protection.

The committee in its report said the water retention capacity had shrunk due to discharge of sewage and dumping of garbage. Apart from causing health problems to people living near the lake, the groundwater quality was also spoilt. Stating that the Chief Minister had passed several orders to protect water bodies in and around Chennai by raising the bunds, the report said that the Estimates Committee was disappointed over the lake being converted into a dumping yard.

In order to clean up the lake, it should be desilted and the Public Works Department should take immediate steps towards this , the committee said. It said that the PWD should bring the lake under a scheme of the NABARD, and that steps should be taken to commence work in the current financial year itself.

The committee's reports have gladdened the hearts of residents of Chitlapakkam, Sembakkam and Rajakilpakkam. The lake today presents a pathetic picture, with heaps of accumulated garbage in many places. Residents blamed the Sembakkam town panchayat for not taking adequate steps to protect the water body.

Rainwater

Excess rainwater from the Chitlapakkam lake is drained into the Sembakkam lake through the storm water drains. However, as sewage flows through most of the storm water drains, the Sembakkam lake has become nothing more than a cesspool of sewage.

Residents said they would only be too glad to extend their full cooperation with the Government agencies in their venture to protect the lake.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu

News: Front Page | National | Tamil Nadu | Andhra Pradesh | Karnataka | Kerala | New Delhi | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous | Engagements |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Updates: Breaking News |