CHENNAI: After nearly two decades of ignorance, the civic officials have finally begun restoration work at the Ramapuram lake. This was in response to an article by City Express highlighting the plight of the lake, published on Saturday.
“We will start with the strengthening of the bund, to avoid further encroachments and then start desilting the lake. Estimated time of completion is 10 days. Followed by this, current encroachments in the lake area will be removed,” said an official from the stormwater drain department of the Corporation that is carrying out the work.
The workmen have also closed the mouth of the pipe laid by the residents illegally to route the sewage from their home into the lake. However, it was observed that the residents are once again making efforts to open
it manually.
The members of Ramapuram Social Welfare Federation, an umbrella association of the residents associations in the area, expressed happiness over the initiative. “I spoke to the official concerned and suggested that they engage few more JCBs to speed up the work. The place which is dry can be desilted in a day, stagnated green colour water can be drained to the desilted area, and then this area can be desilted, compound wall should be erected to stop further encroachment. The official agreed to this and promised necessary steps will be taken,” said Paul Dhas, president of the association.
Before 1987, the lake spread across 27 acres. Later, it was classified into Natham Poramboke, and patta was given for seven acres of land and four acres was given to the Slum Clearance Board. Of the remaining 16 acres, nine acres were found to be encroached, in a survey. There are about 200 encroachments in the lake.
Recommendations
● Illegal house waste water and septic tank water connections let into the lake should be blocked.
● Engage a few more JCBs.
● Desilt dry areas in a day.
● Drain stagnated green colour water to the desilted area.
● Strengthen the entire bund before monsoon.
● Once this is done, clear encroachments.
● Build a compound wall to stop further encroachment.
● Provide pathway around the lake, children’s play arrangements, seating around the lake, toilet facility, etc.
● Plant more trees.
● Before monsoon ends, make rain water storage arrangements to recharge ground water.
● It should be time-bound programme.