Residents of Madipakkam have come together to restore the decades-old Naicker Kuttai, a pond in Mahalakshmi Nagar. Under the first phase of the restoration, residents pooled in money to hire earth-movers; the waterbody was desilted and its bunds were raised. Also, a passage was created to channel rainwater into the tank.
The residents’ initiative was supported by Madipakkam Neer Nilai Punaramaippu Kuzhu, a wing of Sabari Green Foundation, Madipakkam. “Before Madipakkam became urbanised, the pond helped irrigate agriculture fields. The excess rainwater from Keezhkattalai Eri was discharged into the pond,” says P. Saravana Kumar.
Creation of a walkers’ path and planting of tree saplings are part of the second-phase work.Residents say if the pond is de-silted and revived, it will help recharge the ground water table. Neighbourhoods in Madipakkam, including Mahalakshmi Nagar, Kubera Nagar, Sigamani Nagar, Enfield Avenue, Thanthai Periyar Nagar Extension, Lakshmi Nagar, Rajarajeshwari Nagar, and Rajalakshmi Nagar will be benefited. Post-urbanisation, the tank fell into a state of neglect and became a dumping ground. Rathinam, a resident of Mahalakshmi Nagar, filed a case against Madipakkam Panchayat to stop dumping trash in the waterbody.
Odheeshwarar Temple Pond
Residents are also restoring Odheeshwarar temple pond located on Kulakarai Street in Madipakkam. “The pond has not been deepened for years and encroachments in the form of unauthorised constructions surround the pond. From these unauthorised units, sewage is being discharged into the pond,” says Seeni Sethuraman, a member of Madipakkam Neer Nilai Punaramaippu Kuzhu.
Under the first phase, steps are being taken to de-silt and deepen the pond and raise the bunds. Following this, the rainwater inlets will be cleaned and tree saplings planted. Once the tank is restored, neighbourhoods such as Balaiah Garden, Karthikeyapuram, Rajarajeshwari Nagar and Periyar Nagar will be benefited. “We have also identified six wells in Madipakkam, which will be taken up for cleaning and de-silting and deepening work. This will be followed by restoration of Madipakkam lake.” Those interested in volunteering may call 92834 34446 / 72999 90969.
