The Korattur lake, contaminated with sewage and industrial effluents, may soon get a new life.
Representatives of residents’ welfare associations and voluntary organisations will take a walk along Korattur lake with officials of the Water Resources Department (WRD) to study the issues plaguing the water body.
The waterbody, spread over 990 acres, is one of the largest lakes in the western part of the city. Korattur lake is one of a chain of three waterbodies, including Ambattur and Madhavaram, where surplus water from one is transported to another.
However, residents of Korattur said it had been neglected for several years and contaminated with sewage and industrial effluent from surrounding areas such as Pattaravakkam, Athipet and Ambattur.
Like many other waterbodies in the city fringes, Korattur lake too has been misused by residents for washing clothes and bathing. It has taken a toll on groundwater quality in some of the localities near the lake.
S. Loganathan, a resident of Korattur Agraharam, said the water from the lake had been supplied to Chennai residents for a brief period when there was a shortage in the late 70s. But now, the lake was covered with water hyacinth and heavily encroached upon, he said.
“We still spot some sparrows, mynahs, pigeons and other birds at the lake and there is water there despite the crisis elsewhere. The government must take steps to develop the lake into a bird sanctuary,” he said.
Officials of WRD said some residents had suggested a herbal park could be developed around the lake.
The meetings with residents and the survey would help in the development of a proposal to rejuvenate the lake along with waterbodies in Madhavaram and Ambattur, said an official.
Earlier this year, Public Works Department minister K.V. Ramalingam said in the State assembly that the waterbodies in the fringes of the city would be developed as recreational spaces.
Initially, the lakes in Ambattur, Madhavaram and Korattur will be rejuvenated and beautified with parks and walkways.
