Residents demand PWD restores Nanmangalam lake

Earlier, the water from the lake was used for agriculture, drinking and domestic purposes. There is no awareness among the public on dumping the garbage into the lake. Additionally, there is no proper stormwater drainage system and sewage treatment in the locality.

“In 2016, the municipality was dumping garbage in the lake instead of taking it to the dump yard. We filed a petition in the Chief Minister’s special cell, and the municipality stopped dumping immediately. However, the sanitary workers and locals are still dumping garbage in the banks, and it flows into the lake. Added to it, the sewage from the neighbouring areas is also let into the lake,” said Praveen, a resident of Nanmangalam.

“Last year, had the water been clean, the residents would not have faced water crisis. We are forced to buy water from the nearby shop, and at least Rs 100 –150 is spent for water daily. If the lake is restored soon, there wouldn’t be water crisis in the upcoming days,” he added.

Adding to the woes, two years ago, a compound wall and two shops have encroached the lake. After filing complaints for more than a month the officials removed. “If the officials did not restore the lake soon, within two or three years, there would be many encroachments near the lake. It would take more time to restore it. We are filing complaints from last year, but they did take any action to clean the lake,” said Ravi P, another resident of Nanmangalam.

When contacted K Asokan, Chief Engineer, WRD said, “We are restoring all the lakes in the city. We are waiting for the tender to be passed. The restoration is expected to start in two months.”