The Greater Chennai Corporation has started linking rooftops of houses directly to temple tanks to prevent the mixing of sewage with the water in the tanks.
Many residents of neighbourhoods near temples have complained about sewage in their tanks to officials of the Corporation and Chennai Metrowater.
The new initiative will prevent the pollution of the tanks and facilitate groundwater recharge, a Corporation official said.
For instance, work on linking rooftop of houses on Bajanai Koil Street near Thiruvotteeswarankoil in Thiruvotteeswaran Pettai in Triplicane has been completed. “We have linked 25 rooftops. More rooftops will be linked shortly,” an official said. The residents have been complaining about sewage mixing with runoff in the stormwater drains that carry water to temple tanks.
Triplicane resident T.J. Ramani said multiple complaints have been lodged regarding the leaking of sewwage into the Parthasarathy temple tank after the recent rejuvenation. “The problem with stormwater drains has to be solved. Local civic officials have to cooperate with residents,” Mr.Ramani said.
More connections
Residents said that direct connections from the rooftops of more houses to temple tanks have to be provided. The Virupaacheeswarar temple tank has been linked with the rooftops of the houses in its vicinity.
The project to restore this tank in Mylapore and the Gangadeeswarar temple tank in Purasawalkam have been taken up at an estimated cost of ₹27.5 lakh. More than 70% of the work has been completed, officials said.
Work on rejuvenation of Kalyana Varadharaja Perumal Koil tank in Kaladipet, Sengazhuneer Pillaiyar Koil tank and Kathaleeswarar Koil tank in Royapuram zone, Mallikeswarar Koil tank on Lingu Chetty Street and Chenna Malleswara Chenna Kesavaperumal Koil tank on Devaraja Mudali Street would be completed next month, Corporation officials added.
