PWD to prevent sand smuggling from lakes

According to PWD officials, there was a recent incident when some unidentified persons stole sand from Chembarambakkam lake and a revenue official, who tried to prevent the theft, was intimidated. To prevent such incidents, the officials have now constituted a team. Sand in large quantities was being smuggled from Cholavaram lake as well, they said.

“It has become imperative for us to curb such practices. We, along with police personnel and revenue department officials will regularly patrol the main lakes like Poondi, Chembarambakkam and Cholavaram reservoirs, where sand smuggling is a regular phenomenon,” said a PWD official adding that the department would create awareness among the local people and request them to alert the officials concerned if they notice sand smuggling.

Since the major reservoirs are located in Thiruvallur district, the PWD officials have communicated with the district administration as well. “All the reservoirs have engineers and we have alerted them to keep a tab on the lakes,” the official said and added that stringent action would be taken against sand smugglers. 

When contacted, M Bhakthavachalam, Superintending Engineer, Palar Basin Circle, Chennai Region, said, “Though Chennai region has no sand quarries, there is a high possibility for offenders smuggling sand from the parched lakes. Earlier, the Palar river had sand quarries, but now it has been banned,” he said and added that they would be routinely visiting the lakes.