Bund road of Perungudi lake turns into dumpyard

CHENNAI: Around seven years ago, people used the bund road that runs around the 50-acre Perungudi lake to get to the east and west sides of Perungudi. Not anymore. It's hardly motorable now.
The road is littered with silt bags, broken commodes, gypsum pieces, thermocol pieces, used mattresses, and other solid waste on its eastern side. The southern side of the road has become a hangout for anti-social elements.This has become a risk for students at a governent school near the lake.
"A portion of the road collapsed in 2016, and from then on, we have stopped using the road," said Sajeevan P, a resident of Perungudi. "This has led to people dumping waste, drinking, and urinating in the area."
"Smaller restaurants, mechanic shops, and other commercial establishments dump waste at night," said Indu M, a parent of a student in the government school. "During rains, water stagnates, making it a breeding ground for mosquitoes. I do not send my daughter to school if it rains, fearing that she may fall sick.
As of September 2023, Perungudi zone recorded 15 dengue cases this year, and the city had 297 people who suffered from dengue, according to GCC records.
"The situation has worsened since last month around the lake. Despite complaining, there has been no action. The amount of waste has increased," said Saravanan M, an active member of the PLANET resident association in Perungudi.
"I was not aware of any such complaints. I will review the lake road and ensure it is cleaned up on Monday," said the zonal officer of Perungudi zone, H Murugan.
"The waste will get into the lake when it rains. Besides, the leachate from the waste could also pollute the lake," said Saravanan.
The lake has been on the National Green Tribunal's radar for being polluted with sewage and solid waste. The tribunal had directed the Water Resources Department to protect the lake in 2021. The WRD replied that they were planning to rehabilitate all the lakes in the Kovalam Basin, along with Perungudi Lake, for 3,000 crores as part of the World Bank-funded comprehensive flood mitigation project. But it has been a non-starter.
"This project is coming under the Chennai City Partnership Project, and they are studying the feasibility of the project," said WRD chief engineer (Chennai) Asokan S. "It would be good to create a Miyawaki forest adjacent to the lake after clearing the garbage," said Saravanan.