CHENNAI: RS Bharathi, MP, and Alandur MLA, TM Anbarasan, visited the Adambakkam lake on Wednesday along with local residents’ associations after they had agreed to contribute towards the desilting of the heavily encroached waterbody before the onset of the Northeast monsoon.
After being taken around the lake by the Federation of Adambakkam Welfare Association and Thillai Ganga Nagar Residents Welfare Association, the MP and MLA agreed to split the cost of desilting.
The two residents’ bodies welcomed the move after their cries for help failed to attract the attention of Public Works Department, which has been avoiding an eviction drive and restoration that was originally planned in 2015.
However, the lawmakers will use the expertise of PWD, who will draw an estimate for this desilting project. “We have asked the Kanchipuram executive engineer, PWD, to provide an estimate for removing hyacinth, desilting and reinforcement of the bunds of the lake,” said Anbarasan.
In addition to desilting, the two elected representatives also witnessed the discharge of sewage from Nanganallur and made arrangements for sewage to be diverted so that it did not continue to pollute the lake.
“The culverts under the road which passes through the lake have to be replaced or de-clogged,” Bharathi said. The Kancheepuram PWD executive engineer told Express that desilting of the lake and removal of the water hyacinth will cost around Rs 35-40 lakh. The Madipakkam lake was also desilted with funds provided by the elected representatives of the area.
The MLA and MP both acknowledged that desilting was a temporary measure and called for eviction of encroachers along the bunds of the lake. “We thank the former municipal councillor for Ward 34, Muthu, for bringing to the notice of the MLA and MP the condition of the lake and the danger it poses as the monsoon approaches,” said Augustine David, president of FAWA.