Encroachments on lake alarm residents

Activist lodges complaint with CM’s special cell, action yet to be taken

Vanishing lake: Encroachers are constructing compound walls and earmarking plots on the waterbody

Residents of Madipakkam are alarmed by the government authorities not showing any interest in protecting a lake in Kubera Nagar Extension.

The waterbody extends from Kubera Nagar 13th Extension to Mylai Balaji Nagar, and is being taken over by encroachers, who are and earmarking plots and constructing compound walls. Madipakkam, a panchayat, was added to the Chennai Corporation during the city’s expansion.

On Sunday, a new house was being constructed in the lake area. A few more compound walls and plots could be seen.

S. Krishnamoorthy, a member of the Ram Nagar South Residents’ Welfare Association, said: “There is not even a notice board to tell the people that it is a waterbody and is not to be encroached.” G.M. Shankar, a social activist, said he had given petitions to all government departments concerned, including the Chennai Corporation, Metrowater and the revenue authorities, but no action had been taken.

No action

“A complaint was filed with the Chief Minister’s special cell. A reply was received, stating that the complaint had been forwarded to the Chennai Corporation District Commissioner (South) and Municipal Administration and Water Supply,” he said. Residents want the civic body to take immediate steps to protect the lake before it vanishes like hundreds of other waterbodies.