Unchecked sewage chokes Nemilichery Lake

Talking to DT Next, C Murugaiyyan, Secretary, Federation of Civic and Welfare Associations of Pallavapuram Municipality said that the long pending problem has remain unaddressed by the municipality. He said, “We have spent Rs 12 lakh in the works, by crowd funding it. However, the lake has become a convenient dumpyard for sewage from households nearby.”

Stating that both the residents and municipality should be blamed for this, he said, “There is an underground sewer network in the area. Yet people have been letting out sewage from kitchen into the lake area.” He also pointed out that a few weeks ago, after rain, the lake was brimming with water. “The idea behind restoring the lake was to meet the water needs of the residents in the area. Deepening and restoring the lake would help recharge ground water. However, the unchecked sewage water being let into the lake is hindering the purpose.”

The federation members have also formed a committee with about 13 members, who are overseeing the work. The efforts to rejuvenate the lake by the federation has brought together NGOs and industry associations along with health providers in the area. The lake was cleaned by an army of residents who worked for more than 40 days from June beginning to remove the garbage. The garbage collected has also been transported with the help of the Public Works Department, who have been carrying out the deepening work.

Municipal Engineer Karuppiah Raju denied that they have been lenient on the residents, who let out sewage. “We have sent notices to 20 - 30 households regarding this. Moreover, we are also taking efforts to ensure that the sewage from the households enters the sewer network and a bunding line is underway. Residents began working on the lake saying they will clean it up, but they widened their area. We are making all efforts to help them,” he said.