CHENNAI: The eco-restoration of Chitlapakkam tank has been delayed as civic authorities are unable to identify an alternative site for dumping garbage generated by the town panchayat.
During an inspection last month, civic authorities told PWD officials that it would not be possible for them to remove garbage dumped in the northern portion of the lake due to insufficient funds. It was proposed that the PWD clear the garbage and shift it to a designated dump yard near Singaperumal Koil. The civic authorities had to obtain a pass for the same, a senior PWD official said, adding that aside from the PWD and civic officials, representatives from residents’ welfare associations were also present during inspection.
The PWD suggested that the soil excavated from the tank be deposited on the right flank to create a play area along with a park, the official said.
Convenor of Chitlapakkam residents’ association coordination committee P Viswanathan said people had been routinely dumping garbage in the northern part of the tank for more than three decades. Nearly 20 tonnes of garbage is dumped every day.
Residents sent a complaint to the TN Pollution Control Board about the pathetic condition of the tank, highlighting how it had become contaminated due to excessive dumping. After an inspection, the TNPCB authorities gave clear instructions to the civic body not to dump garbage at the site, Viswanathan said.
While arrangements were made to transport the garbage to Keerappakkam or Venkatamangalam, where a common dumping facility was available, the idea was dropped for reasons not conveyed to the residents, he said.
Leakage of leachate from the garbage dumping site had deteriorated the water quality, said the PWD official. Aside from the dumping, release of sewage from Tambaram municipality and Chitlapakkam has also adversely affected the water. The release of sewage was mainly due to non-completion of underground sewage system in Tambaram municipality. This work was going on for more than 5 years, said the official.
As part of the eco-restoration project, authorities have proposed setting up a treatment plant with a capacity of 1 million litres at the tank. Other major pending projects include strengthening of the tank bund, construction of a toe wall, covering drains, flood regulator, eviction of encroachments and removal of the dumped waste, said the official.
During an inspection last month, civic authorities told PWD officials that it would not be possible for them to remove garbage dumped in the northern portion of the lake due to insufficient funds. It was proposed that the PWD clear the garbage and shift it to a designated dump yard near Singaperumal Koil. The civic authorities had to obtain a pass for the same, a senior PWD official said, adding that aside from the PWD and civic officials, representatives from residents’ welfare associations were also present during inspection.
The PWD suggested that the soil excavated from the tank be deposited on the right flank to create a play area along with a park, the official said.
Convenor of Chitlapakkam residents’ association coordination committee P Viswanathan said people had been routinely dumping garbage in the northern part of the tank for more than three decades. Nearly 20 tonnes of garbage is dumped every day.
Residents sent a complaint to the TN Pollution Control Board about the pathetic condition of the tank, highlighting how it had become contaminated due to excessive dumping. After an inspection, the TNPCB authorities gave clear instructions to the civic body not to dump garbage at the site, Viswanathan said.
While arrangements were made to transport the garbage to Keerappakkam or Venkatamangalam, where a common dumping facility was available, the idea was dropped for reasons not conveyed to the residents, he said.
Leakage of leachate from the garbage dumping site had deteriorated the water quality, said the PWD official. Aside from the dumping, release of sewage from Tambaram municipality and Chitlapakkam has also adversely affected the water. The release of sewage was mainly due to non-completion of underground sewage system in Tambaram municipality. This work was going on for more than 5 years, said the official.
As part of the eco-restoration project, authorities have proposed setting up a treatment plant with a capacity of 1 million litres at the tank. Other major pending projects include strengthening of the tank bund, construction of a toe wall, covering drains, flood regulator, eviction of encroachments and removal of the dumped waste, said the official.
Coronavirus outbreak
Trending Topics
LATEST VIDEOS
More from TOI
Navbharat Times
Featured Today in Travel
Get the app