CHENNAI — Veeraraghavan Eri, once a roughly 30-acre freshwater lake near Chromepet in Chennai, is rapidly shrinking and deteriorating under the weight of untreated sewage, solid waste and encroachments, environmental activists and local residents say. According to a recent city report, the lake’s area has reduced to barely a third of its former size as continuous pollution and urban debris choke its waters.
Residents near the lake told reporters that untreated sewage from nearby stormwater drains, construction debris and household waste have flowed into the waterbody for years, creating severe contamination and public health hazards. Restoration efforts by the city’s water resources and civic agencies have so far produced limited results, with sewage inlets left open and encroachment issues unresolved.
Local environmental advocates have criticized the lack of sustainable planning and long-term action, saying that even after notices to violators and periodic cleanup attempts, there has been no major reduction in pollution levels. Some have warned that unless the flow of sewage into Veeraraghavan Eri is stopped and surrounding drains properly managed, the lake will continue to lose water and ecological value.
The decline of this urban lake reflects broader concerns about waterbody degradation across Chennai, where rapid development and inadequate infrastructure have led to the shrinking and pollution of multiple traditional lakes and ponds — a trend that threatens groundwater recharge and local biodiversity. news as reported
