Citizen Connect: Veeraragavan lake in bad shape, residents blame Tiruneermalai village panchayat

The residents, who had petitioned the authorities to clean and restore the lake, say anti-social elements are currently dumping untreated sewage into the waterbody and asked the authorities to take immediate action.

Spread over 37 acres, Veeraragavan lake is one of the biggest waterbodies in the locality. While 50 per cent of the lake comes under Pallavaram municipality, the other half is in Tiruneermalai village panchayat.

More than 30,000 families in several localities, including Lakshmipuram, Chromepet New Colony, Nagappa Nagar, Chandra Nagar, Umayalapuram, Sanatorium housing board colony and Tiruneermalai, were using the lake water.

According to sources, the lake was maintained well when it was under St Thomas Mount Panchayat Union till 2010. Then, it was handed over to the Tiruneermalai village panchayat. Several residents claim that the problem started after this and slowly, the water has become unusable due to lack of maintenance.

V Santhanam, a social activist from Chromepet, said, “We have submitted several petitions with the authorities to restore the lake. However, they have not considered it. The condition has become worse as some anti-social elements have diverted drainage into the lake. The officials concerned should take immediate action to stop this and clean the waterbody.”

Residents also said that they would clean the lake by pooling in money if officials don’t turn up. They said that the restoration of the lake will recharge the groundwater level and provide some respite from the water scarcity. “Officials should understand the situation and start clean-up immediately,” said a resident.

When asked about the poor condition of the lake, Tiruneermalai village panchayat executive officer S Jayakumar said, “We don’t have enough funds to clean the lake and we have sought help from the Pallavaram municipality.”

Pallavaram municipal engineer, Ravichandran, said that there is a proposal to clean the lake at an estimation of Rs 12 crore. The background work is in progress and the project to clean the lake will be started soon, he added.