A group of civic activists from Chitlapakkam recently met S.R. Raja, MLA, Tambaram Constituency and discussed a host of issues, including restoration of Sembakkam and Chitlapakkam lakes, widening of Chitlapakkam Main Road, removal of encroachments on lake areas, construction of underground drainage system and arresting the discharge of sewage through stormwater drains.
The group, led by P. Viswanathan, convener, Coordination Committee of Welfare Associations of Chitlapakkam, dwelt considerably on contamination of Sembakkam and Chitlapakkam lakes. They pointed out that in recent years the issue of sewage being discharged into Sembakkam and Chitlapakkam lakes has assumed alarming proportions.
“Sewage is being dischared into Sembakkam lake from Pallavaram, Sembakkam, Tambaram and Chitlapakkam. Every day, a huge number of tankers draws water from the waterbody, forcing us to switch on the motors several times in a day. Similarly, the Chitlapakkam lake is being similarly contaminated. Steps must be taken without any delay to save these lakes. In 2009, the State government passed an order for construction of underground drainage systems in Chitlapakkam, Sembakkam and Madambakkam. Work on these projects has however not started,” said P. Dayanand, president, Pradeep and Karthik Avenue Residents Welfare Association, Chitlapakkam.
The activists also requested the MLA to take steps to stop dumping and burning of garbage in the Chitlapakkam lake. “The dumping ground should be shifted to a source segregation centre at Keerapakkam, off Grand Southern Trunk Road. For several years, garbage is being dumped and burnt in the lake on Chitlapakkam Second Main Road, which has been causing health problems for residents as well as motorists. It also affects the students of a nearby government school,” said M. Ravi, secretary, SSMNRA.
K. Ramakrishna, executive committee member, Sri Sarvamangala Nagar Residents Association (SSMNRA), Chitlapakkam, said, “Chitlapakkam Main Road provides easy access to Velachery Main Road and Grand Southern Trunk Road. It witnesses heavy traffic movement throughout the day. However, due to encroachments by commercial establishments on both sides of the road, the width of the road has shrunk considerably.”
The MLA had promised to do the needful.
