CHENNAI: What can a successful struggle for restoration of a lake really do? In case of Madipakkam, it can increase the average footfall from 200 to over 3,000 per day, recharge ground water table and most importantly, pose as an ideal business destination for food stall vendors. But, the last issue will eventually destroy the first two, here’s why.
Like any other lake, this 30-acre water body at Madipakkam was also choking with garbage and encroachments. Hundreds of fish died due to low oxygen levels in 2016 and domestic untreated sewage was being let into the lake. Eventually, public refrained from visiting the stinking site.
However, over the last two years, Sabari Green Foundation along with Madipakkam Residents Association and Madipakkam Lions Club have taken up restoration work and made sure it boasts everything that one would want from an urban lake.
“Last year, Rs 3.5 lakh was spent to strengthen the bund and clean the lake in regular intervals. Even encroachments were cleared,” said V Subramani, founder, Sabari Green. He added that recently `42 lakh has been spent from the MLA fund to construct a fence along the perimeter of the lake, widen the footpath from three metre to six metre and lay channels to route rainwater from the road into the lake.
Through the course, footfall has been constantly increasing and cashing upon this, even food stalls have been on the rise. At least 20 shops came up along the stretch in the last four to six months, say residents. “Most of the shops are set up in the car parking space of the houses by obtaining permission from the owner. Later in the evening, they lay tables and chairs on the footpaths and start the service,” said K Ayyappan, one of the residents.
It was observed that most of the shops had tiny bins placed in front. That move, it seems, is just to please the Beach Walkers Club and resident associations. One of the shop owners in the area said, “On the weekends, we have at least 7,000 customers. During weekdays, the number is anywhere between 2,000-3,000.” If the footfall is 7,000, evidently the ‘tiny’ bin won’t do the job.
With around five Corporation bins in the area that are already brimming with garbage, most of the food waste and plastic cutlery end up in the lake. A walker near the lake also emphasised that he has observed that a few vendors have already started this practice, late in the night.
Also, as the seating arrangement is on the footpath, tissues and plastic covers that are strewn after eating find their way into the channels laid to route rainwater into the lake and choke them, eventually barring their purpose.
When contacted, civic officials only said they would look into it.Despite years of struggle to restore the lake, if the civic authorities don’t lend their ears to this issue, the place might just again get a taste of the past.