After repeated pleas to the Pallavapuram Municipality to prevent the discharge of sewage into Moovarasampet Eri proved futile, the Federation of Moovarasampet Welfare Associations (FMWA) has written to Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palanisamy about the issue.
G.P. Babu, secretary, FMWA, says, “Moovarasampet Eri is the primary source of groundwater for the residents of Pallavaram, Moovarasampet and surrounding areas. Pallavapuram Municipality has dug up three wells in the lake to supply drinking water to residential localities falling under its jurisdiction. Last September, the district Collector made a surprise visit to Moovarasampet. Later, he ordered the authorities to set up a sewage treatment plant and let the treated water into the lake. However, the plant has not yet been commissioned. Moreover, he issued orders to remove encroachments, but the effort proved futile.”
The practice of letting sewage into the waterbody continues for more than two decades. “We are worried sewage inflows will contaminate the lake. At present, we buy can water for drinking and cooking and rely on groundwater for other purposes,” he added. In addition, residents requested the Water Resources Department to clear garbage and remove encroachments, desilt and deepen the lake and form bunds on the lake area under the ‘Kudimaramathu’ scheme. It must be noted that under the scheme, the State government has allocated ₹300 crore to desilt waterbodies across the State.
The excess rainwater from Moovarasampet Eri must flow into Madipakkam lake, through the weir. However, the water does not flow into the lake due to encroachment near the weir. Moreover, a canal, which is supposed to carry rainwater to Madipakkam lake, is being used as a thoroughfare. As a result, excess rainwater flows through KGK Nagar, Keezhkattalai, Venkateshwara Street, Brindavan Nagar, Ganga Nagar, Gokulam Nagar and Bharat Nagar, Moovarasampet. “To avoid flooding, a separate underground rainwater channel and a culvert have to be constructed on Medavakkam Main Road. The excess rainwater from the lake should flow into Madipakkam lake through the canal and the culvert.”