With the onset of monsoon looming large, works for cleaning, desilting and restoring lakes has been intensified by the Chennai Corporation.
The Corporation is planning to implement an action plan, in association with the Water Resources Department, for controlling pollution near lakes and ponds, and improving public health in residential neighbourhoods. “The focus has shifted to reducing mosquito density and preventing health problems near lakes during monsoon,” said an official.
Work on cleaning water bodies, such as Velachery lake, is set to be completed next week. But pollution of many of these lakes continues unabated, said officials.
“Cleaning of Velachery lake is under way, at an estimated cost of Rs. 20 lakh. But polluted water is still mixing in the lake,” said an official. Growth of weeds and illegal dumping of construction debris and municipal solid waste have affected its storage capacity. Over 40 encroachments have also emerged as a cause of pollution, creating public health risks for hundreds of residents, said an official. Improved storage of the lake is expected to ease inundation in some neighbourhoods this monsoon, the official added.
Eco-restoration of Thamaraikulam on Medavakkam Road in Perungudi zone, at an estimated cost of Rs. 1 crore, is also expected to improve public health, shortly.
Rainwater harvesting and greenery would improve the neighbourhood, said another official.
Delay in workThe delay in obtaining clearance from funding agencies for restoration of Narayanapuram lake at an estimated cost of Rs. 15 crore is likely to emerge as a challenge. Temporary measures to improve public health in localities near the lake will be taken up shortly, officials said. Cleaning of the lake, preventing pollution and increasing its storage are key aspects of the detailed project report.
Meanwhile, residents in areas such as Ramapuram have requested the Corporation to clean and restore Ramapuram Eri on Bharathi Salai to cope with challenges to public health.
