Thiruneermalai area residents deprived of main water source

By P. Oppili

CHENNAI, SEPT. 13. Residents of about 12 villages in and around Thiruneermalai area are worried over the increased encroachments in the Veeraraghava Perumal Lake, main source of water supply. Located in Chromepet, the lake also serves as a water source for the residents of New Colony and a few other residential areas.

According to some residents, the encroachments started from 1990 onwards and increased during 1997. The total area of the lake was 25 acres and it has now shrunk to 15 acres. About 200 huts have sprung up in the encroached area.

Layouts were created in the lake and each portion of the land (about five cents) was sold to a group of people at a cost of Rs.2.5 lakhs, the residents alleged. When the Village Administrative Officer (VAO) was informed of this, no action was initiated by him.

Last month a complaint was also lodged with the Chromepet police against those involved in the encroachment. But the police have not acted upon the complaint so far, the residents said.

A letter on protecting and conserving water bodies was distributed to the villagers, said Mr. S.M. Rajendran, secretary, Makkal Podhu Nala Mandram, Thiruneermalai. Attempts by the residents to take up the issue with the Government proved futile, he said. The encroachers attempted to attack a group of people including Mr.Rajendran, when the issue was taken up with the District Collector.

Lack of desilting and poor maintenance of the lake led to the encroachment. Under the DMK regime, the residents made several attempts through representations to take up desilting work. But they were not successful, said Mr. V. Santhanam of the Federation of Civic and Welfare Associations of Pallavaram.

The Collector, Mr. K. Rajaraman, said following complaints from the residents, the VAO of the area was transferred. To prevent further encroachment in the water body, a vigilance committee with local residents as members was formed to inform the district administration, Mr.Rajaraman added.

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Section  : Southern States
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