A part of the wall around the Perungudi lake, built by the Public Works Department (PWD) to keep the lake clean, has been damaged.
Residents say the walker’s path around the lake is also used as a toilet and people drink on the bank of the lake at night. “People have broken the wall and pulled down the fencing in places so that they can get in to the lake to wash clothes, bathe and defecate,” said S Aramudan, an IT professional residing in Perungudi.
The Perungudi lake is spread across 35 acres and is the main source of water for over 20,000 residents in and around Perungudi town panchayat. It also has a huge local and migratory bird population, To prevent pollution of the lake, the PWD constructed a three-foot high compound wall with a chain link fencing around it.
Due to the intrusions, residents fear that the water body will soon be polluted. “It is impossible to walk near the lake due to the stench,” said Vimala, a homemaker in Perungudi.
The walking path constructed around the water body at a cost of Rs 73 lakh is also in bad shape. “It is impossible to walk along the stretch in the morning as people use it as a toilet,” said Sharada Nambiar, a software professional.
The stormwater drains are clogged with plastic cups and broken alcohol bottles. “This is proof enough that policemen do not patrol this locality properly,” said Nambiar.
More News: timesofindia
