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Sembakkam Lake Choked by Sewage: Activists Cry Foul
23 Jan
Summary
- Untreated sewage illegally discharged into Sembakkam Lake despite NGT orders.
- ₹10 crore rejuvenation funds remain unused due to ongoing litigation.
- Health concerns rise as sewage contaminates groundwater and lake water.
Sembakkam Lake, a significant freshwater wetland within the Tambaram Corporation, is currently facing severe environmental degradation due to the continuous illegal discharge of untreated sewage. Activists report that this practice persists despite previous interventions and orders from the National Green Tribunal.
The lake's original spread of 150 acres has diminished to approximately 100 acres because of encroachments. In Thiru. Vi. Ka. Nagar, Chromepet, residents have observed sewage being manually diverted from underground drainage overflows into a well, then released into the Pachaimalai Canal, which ultimately drains into Sembakkam Lake.
Concerns are mounting over public health, with reports of skin rashes potentially linked to contaminated groundwater. A ₹10 crore fund allocated by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority in 2023 for lake rejuvenation has remained unused since 2023 due to ongoing litigation, further delaying critical restoration efforts.
