Situated 5 km apart in the commercially flourishing area, Pallavaram Periya eri and Keezhkattalai eri share similar problems: depleting groundwater table and dumping of untreated sewage and garbage.
“Even in summer, people who lived close to Pallavaram lake would draw water with a bucket from the open wells.
Both the lakes have shrunk significantly in size,” said Damodaran V, a retired government official, who has been living at Pallavaram for more than six decades.
Pallavaram – Thoraipakkam Radial Road reduced the commute time to OMR, which is the IT hotspot of Chennai.
Keezhkattalai lake: A sad tale of negligence The Pallavaram – Thoraipakkam road is constructed on the Keezhkattalai and Pallavaram lake areas, making it the biggest encroachment.
“The government is further expanding the Pallavaram Thoraipakkam road, a move that will further reduce the area holding water.
“The lake area has shrunk.
When the municipality favours encroachments The fact is that Pallavaram Municipality has itself provided water and sewage connections to the pucca houses constructed on the Periya Eri.
Even though the Public Works Department is the custodian of all lakes, Pallavaram Municipality has managed to get a No Objection Certificate for restoration work from the PWD.
“The Municipality is in-charge of the restoration works of these two lakes.