Lack of rainwater harvesting structures and groundwater recharge in Vandiyur tank has left parts of Anna Nagar, KK Nagar and Melamadai dry. Encroachments are rampant on this tank which has a spread of 600 acres.
S. Praveen Kumar, project executive of TATA Dhan Foundation’s Water Knowledge Centre, said major catchment areas of the tank had been converted into buildings. Former PWD Executive Engineer S. Suthanthira Amalraj said, “Mattuthavani integrated bus stand and Walker’s Park have also encroached the tank space.”
On Monday, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court ordered Madurai South Tahsildar to survey the encroachments of the tank.
Mr. Praveen Kumar suggested that if 26 MLD (million litres per day) of recycled water is directed to Vandiyur, it would recharge the groundwater table. There are two sewage treatment plants at Sakkimangalam with a capacity of 45 MLD and Avaniapuram (125 MLD).
“Only 20% to 25% of the capacity of the treatment plants is utilised. If the treated water is diverted properly, there will be an increase in the groundwater level in areas surrounding Vandiyur tank,” he said.
Several proposals have been floated to beautify the Vandiyur tank but none has been acted upon yet.
The onset of monsoon will bring with it problem of rainwater stagnation, leading to breeding of mosquitoes. Rickshaw driver K. Pandi said that owing to rainwater stagnation at VOC Nagar and Gomathipuram, mosquitoes swarmed these residential areas.
Concrete lining of storm water drains had reduced the channel’s capacity by half, he said. While laying storm water drains, proper gradient was not ensured. This resulted in stagnation of sewage water which served as breeding ground for mosquitoes.
The inflow of water mixed with sewage gets blocked by wild growth on the tank. Cultivators of cattle feed wade through the muck and uproot the wild growth. “It is a dirty job, but how else the cows will get their feed,” said P. Ganesan, a cultivator who is aided in the work by his sister K. Pandiammal.
