S.R. Parthibhan, MP representing Salem constituency, has urged the State Government to take necessary steps to desilt the Panamarathupatti Lake. with senior party functionaries and demanded authorities and State government to take necessary steps to desilt and bring the lake back to use.
Mr. Parthibhan, who visited the Lake on Saturday, also demanded the State Government to remove Semmai Karuvalam trees spread over in the lake and the refill the lake using excess water from Mettur dam.
Mr. Parthibhan said, “due to encroachments and growth of Semmai Karuvulam trees, the water channels to the lake has been blocked. The Government should take steps to desilt the lake at the earliest and refill the lake using excess water from Mettur dam which is wasted into the sea.” He added, “though funds were allocated to clear Semmai Karuvulam trees in the lake, it wasn’t utilised. Authorities should use the funds and bring the lake back to use at the earliest.”
Mr. Parthibhan also said that the lake is just 50 km. away from dam and pipelines should be laid to refill the lake with water from the dam. He added that if the lake is brought back to use, both Salem and Namakkal districts would benefit and there wouldn’t be any water scarcity issues.
Mr. Parthibhan also said that if the Government failed to take action, the lake would be cleared with the help of NGOs.
