Chennai: More than nine months after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) initiated a case for encroachment in Lake Colathur in West Chennai, around 2,000 structures have not been removed from the site.
This is now a VIP constituency, Local MLA is the main minister of M K Stalin.
This despite the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) and the State Public Works Department (PWD) identified residents whose homes were built on a water body.
The NGT case was initiated after the TOI report in October last year showed that only 20% of the original lake area, which was around 26.37 hectares, is now available as a water body.
The source on the GCC said they tried to ensure that the parts available from the lake were well maintained using a machine such as Robot Excavator.
“However, the lake can only be reclaimed if encroachment is removed.
In addition, houses there let the waste untreated to the lake, so the lake cannot be recovered unless addiction is fully issued,” said an official.
Apart from the house, the structure of the browser also includes places of worship, business companies, and waterways built on what is originally a lake.
A PWD official said that despite the structure of the structure has been identified, they can be destroyed only after TN Slum Clearance Board (TNSCB) provides alternative housing solutions for residents to be moved.
“But the TNSCB house is not available at this time,” the official said.
The official also added that a metrowater building and part of 200 foot roads had been built on the lake.
In fact, the metrowater building right in the middle which was originally lake.
GCC officials said with the monsoon in front, severe encroachment could cause a large flood because the lake was a natural rain channel for excess rain water from a 200 feet and retalian lake trails across the highway.
The houses built on the lake means there is no place for running water, and therefore can cause flooding in the nearest area.