Conservationists Stunned as Road Work Begins on Encroached Chennai Lake Land
Conservationists working to protect Korattur Lake in Chennai were left shocked and dismayed on Thursday as road laying operations commenced in the residential neighborhoods of Vinayaka Nagar and Krishna Nagar. These areas have been officially identified by authorities as illegal encroachments on the lake's vital water spread area, making the infrastructure push particularly contradictory and alarming.
Eviction Notices Issued Amid Infrastructure Push
The road construction work proceeded even as eviction notices were reportedly issued to at least fifteen residents for illegally occupying the lakebed, according to local activists. Members of the Korattur Aeri Padhukappu Makkal Iyakkam (KAPMI), a dedicated lake protection group, strongly criticized this development, calling it a direct contradiction to the ongoing efforts to clear the encroached land and restore the lake's ecological integrity.
KAPMI Founder Demands Transparency and Accountability
KAPMI founder S Sekharan pointedly accused civic authorities of enabling the construction works within the clearly encroached stretch. He raised a series of critical questions demanding transparency: "Do these areas fall under Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) limits? When was any council resolution passed to approve these roads? Was a tender issued, and if so, what was its value? Who was the contractor, and why was there no public advertisement? We need answers to these questions," Sekharan stated emphatically.
Temporary Halt and Subsequent Backlash
Following intensified protests from conservationists and residents, GCC officials temporarily halted the road laying works. However, this pause triggered an unexpected and concerning backlash. Sekharan reported that encroachers threatened a female KAPMI member over the phone, while another activist received intimidating calls and visits at their home, highlighting the tense and volatile situation surrounding the lake's protection.
GCC Official Defends Road Proposal, Denies Eviction Notices
A senior GCC official from the Ambattur zone defended the proposed road laying, explaining that residents had petitioned the civic agency for road relaying due to severe potholes causing inconvenience. "We instructed the Tahsildar's surveyor to measure the site on February 14. If it is confirmed as lake encroachment near a water body, we will notify Metrowater and Tangedco to disconnect sewage and streetlight connections," the official said. However, he insisted that no eviction notices existed in official records, casting doubt on the activists' claims and stating that residents retained full access to amenities.
Legal Action Threatened if Work Resumes Prematurely
In response to the ongoing controversy, KAPMI has declared its intention to pursue legal action if the road laying resumes before the encroachment status is formally and conclusively resolved. The group remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting Korattur Lake from further degradation and illegal occupation.
The situation underscores the complex challenges of urban lake conservation in Chennai, where infrastructure demands, residential needs, and environmental protection often collide, creating conflicts that require careful resolution and unwavering commitment to ecological sustainability.
