Residents of Urapakkam and Kilambakkam have sought the Water Resources Department to construct steps on the bunds of Kolatchi Amman Temple pond in Urapakkam.
In May 2017, volunteers of Makkal Pathai and residents cleaned the pond, using a boat. Volunteers cleared weeds in the area abutting the pond as well as in the water-holding area. The clean-up was carried out under the ‘Neer Indri Amayathu Ullagu’ scheme.
N. Mohanan, secretary, Kolatchi Amman Temple, says, “The pond is 200ft long, 150ft wide and 27ft deep; so far, there has been no instance of the pond going dry. There have been reports of people getting drowned while swimming in the pond.
The bunds of the pond have a steep slope. A shed has been constructed on the bunds to enable relatives of the deceased to perform rituals. Senior citizens and women cannot climb up and down the surface. So, steps should be constructed on all sides of the pond.”
Residents also demand that a hand-pump be installed on the bunds of the pond for people to take bath after performing rituals. Demands for construction of an underground drainage system in areas abutting the pond have also come in.