Express News Service

CHENNAI: While one side of the Putheri lake near Vel’s University in Pallavaram reflects the overcast sky, the water on the other side hides under a eutrophicated mess of water hyacinth. However, the Pallavaram Municipality claimed to have de-silted both sides of the Putheri lake that was bisected by the Pallavaram-Thoraipakkam radial road.

In response to an RTI filed by David Manohar, an activist with Arappor Iyakkam, the Pallavaram Municipality said that it had de-silted both sides of the Putheri lake (both the north and south side of the lake bisected by the Pallavaram-Thoraipakkam link road). Anticipating a half hearted effort from the municipality, Manohar had filed the RTI immediately after the `10 lakh de-silting process began on May 18. The 10-day process which ensued confirmed his apprehensions when only the southern side of the lake was desilted.

When Express asked the Assistant Engineer in-charge of the de-silting process, C Venkatesan about the de-silting on just one side, he said Putheri lake was limited to only the de-silted side. “The other side is just a canal,” he said.

He claimed the “north and south side of the Pallavaram-Thoraipakkam link road” in Manohar’s RTI query was interpreted using an unfinished encroachment wall as a north-south divider on the de-silted side. When Express approached Venkatesan with proof that both sides constitute the Putheri lake in spite of the road divider, he claimed to be unaware of that.

Even if the benefit of the doubt is given to the municipality. It has chosen the wrong side to de-silt. The Pallavaram (north side) of the Putheri lake which is covered with hyacinths, is what feeds the Chromepet side (south). “What is the point of turning a blind eye to the side without which water cannot reach the other side,” asked an angered Manohar.

The Putheri is fed by a bigger nearby lake called Pallavaram Periyaeri. Water from the Periyaeri snakes down to the Putheri lake on the Pallavaram side from where it passes through a tunnel onto the other side before finally emptying into the Nanmangalam lake. The narrowing canal is also cause for concern.

The municipality’s newly constructed bund on the de-silted side of the Putheri lake has increased water retention in the area. But the canal that connects this lake to Nanmangalam lake and helps in draining out the excessive water is getting narrower every day due to encroachments, the activists allege.