Eviction Notices Are Issued To Encroachers Even as Roads Are Being Laid Near Chennai Lake, Activists Allege Contradiction

Chennai: Conservationists working to protect Korattur Lake were stunned on Thursday as road laying began in Vinayaka Nagar and Krishna Nagar — residential pockets that authorities identified as encroachments on the lake's water spread area.The work moved forward as eviction notices were issued to at least 15 residents for illegally occupying the lakebed, activists said. Members of the Korattur Aeri Padhukappu Makkal Iyakkam (KAPMI) criticised the infrastructure push in zones slated for clearance, calling it contradictory to ongoing efforts to vacate the encroached land.KAPMI founder S Sekharan accused civic authorities of enabling the works within the encroached stretch. "Do these areas fall under Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) limits? When was any council resolution passed to approve the 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," he said. When protests intensified, GCC officials temporarily halted the works. The pause, however, triggered a backlash. Sekharan said encroachers threatened a female KAPMI member over the phone, while another activist reported receiving intimidating calls and visits at home.A senior GCC official from the Ambattur zone defended the proposed road laying. He said residents petitioned the civic agency for relaying due to severe potholes. "We instructed the Tahsildar's surveyor to measure the site on Feb 14. If it is confirmed as lake encroachment near a water body, we will notify Metrowater and Tangedco to disconnect sewage and streetlight connections," he said. But no eviction notices existed in records, he said, insisting residents retained full access to amenities. "No such letters were issued," they added, casting doubt on activists' claims.KAPMI said it will pursue legal action if the road laying resumes before the encroachment status is formally resolved.With inputs from Swedha.Radhakrishnan@timesofindia.com