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Chennai, Nov 15 (IANS) A new park being built on the banks of Puzhal Lake – one of Chennai’s most important drinking water sources – has sparked a major controversy, with residents fearing that the project could weaken the reservoir’s embankment and endanger nearby settlements.
Puzhal Lake, located in Tiruvallur district, provides a significant portion of Chennai’s potable water. When the reservoir reaches full capacity, the excess water is released through two sluice gates fitted with shutters. This surplus flows through a canal for about 11 km before reaching the Bay of Bengal near Sadayanakuppam.
Flooding is already a frequent problem in many low-lying areas around the lake.
Despite this delicate hydrological setting, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) has started construction of a public park on 8.17 acres of land identified as a seepage-water accumulation area.
The project, part of the North Chennai Development Plan, is estimated to cost Rs 16.96 crore.
As part of the work, more than 60 concrete pillars have been erected along the Chemmanall Bank, directly opposite Jones Tower. Residents and local activists argue that such heavy civil work so close to the reservoir’s edge could compromise the strength of the embankment. Their fear is not baseless. In 2023, minor weakening of the dam in the same area resulted in a noticeable water leak, leading to the installation of a temporary concrete barrier a few meters away from the earthen embankment.
Locals say that when the lake reaches its peak, seepage through the red-soil layers naturally slows the movement of the water, reducing the wave effect and preventing erosion. Now they worry that the new pillars could disturb this natural defense mechanism.
People living in low-lying areas fear that further weakening of the dam could put thousands of people in danger. Residents suggest that the park can be easily shifted to vacant land on the opposite side of the lake, near the temporary bus stand.
One resident said, “It is worrisome to build anything within 200 meters of the lake. There are safer alternatives.”
A senior official of the Chennai Regional Water Resources Department confirmed that building a park in a waterlogged area requires a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Water Resources Department.
“CMDA officials believe that they will get the NOC after completing the project,” the official said.
The official said earlier proposals had recommended building the park near the sluice gate, close to the existing concrete protection walls.
However, that plan was rejected, and the present site at Chemmanal was chosen.
“Some mistakes were made earlier. There is no practical way to stop the work at this stage,” the official said.
The situation has raised serious concerns about environmental sustainability, public safety and the long-term security of Chennai’s water infrastructure.
–IANS
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