It is three weeks since, Lake Area Residents Welfare Association (LARA)created eight rainwater harvesting structures in some of the streets at Lake Area in Nungambakkam. The lanes are: First Main Road, School Road, First Cross Street, Second Cross Street, Third Cross Street, Fifth Cross Street, Sixth Cross Street and Seventh Cross Street.
LARA did this with the guidance of the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) and Rain Centre, an organisation which advocates conservation of rainwater. “The aim of this exercise was not to waste the run off water. After obtaining the permission from the GCC we created these wells. A sum of ₹.2.5 lakh was mobilised with the contributions from residents. Two years ago we had plans to initiate such water conservation measures on the roads. But following the water crisis this summer, we didn’t want to delay it any further,” says Ramnath, secretary, LARA. LARA will be creating a few more recharge wells in the remaining roads of the neighbourhood.
“LARA will take care of the maintenance of the wells. We request the Corporation to ensure that the footpaths and the roads are litter-free so that garbage or any kind of trash does not block the flow of rainwater into these structures” says N.S. Swaminathan, president, LARA.
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A Zone 9 official appreciating the efforts of LARA says “We guided them by identifying the low-lying spots which are prone to waterlogging. We want more such residents’ welfare associations to take up such initiatives”.