Madambakkam lake full of sewage, hyacinth

Madambakkam lake full of sewage, hyacinth

Feb 22, 2025, 04.01 AM IST

Chennai: Madambakkam lake, covering over 250 acres, once a drinking water source, is now sewage-ridden and marred by unchecked growth of hyacinth. Additionally, there is illegal dumping of garbage, including plastic and meat waste.

In 2024, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) floated a 10-crore tender to restore the lake and transform it into an eco-park, but nothing has changed. The issue was raised in a National Green Tribunal case. CMDA, however, is yet to submit updates on the project. Activists are now demanding that civic agencies drop their plan to build an ecopark.

“The lake should remain a lake instead of being converted into an eco-park. In recent years, many influential people have illegally occupied parts of the lake. They obtained 'patta' using their money and muscle power," said Mohan Srinivas, president, environment qwareness and protection association. “The agency must evict people who have occupied the area illegally,” he said.

Residents say they often see tankers illegally dumping sewage into the lake.

“This lake was once beautiful. We could have our morning walks around the lake,” said Vanitha S, a resident of Madambakkam. “We have seen it deteriorate over the years. Tambaram Corporation has taken no steps to protect it,” she said. In 2024, a team of scientists from IIT-M said the water was mixed with sewage, posing a serious threat to the fish and other aquatic species. To make things worse, waste collected from the area is dumped near the lake and is left to rot.

“We have complained to the Tambaram Corporation about the garbage issue, and we are waiting for them to resolve it,” said Murugesan R, a resident of Madipakkam.

CMDA assistant planner Priya R did not tell TOI why the work on restoration was delayed, but said, “Work is in progress and will be completed at the earliest.”