Fifth reservoir to cater to Chennai's water needs

Chief Minister Dr.J. Jayalalithaa is a visionary leader with profound concern for the welfare of the people. Because of the various steps initiated by her the Chennai city is able to solve the drinking water supply of Chennai City to a large extent. Chennai is mostly dependent on the ground water supply. Chennai's drinking water is supplied with reservoirs/lakes in Poondi, Sholavaram, Veeranam, Red Hills and Chembarambakkam. The Veeranam Water Supply Project was implemented by Chief Minister Dr.J. Jayalalithaa as additional source of water to Chennai City. The Project was commissioned in the year 2004 to supply 180 MLD of water to Chennai City by drawing water from Veeranam Lake. This lake receives water from Cauvery River system through Kollidam, Lower Anicut and Vadavar Canal besides rainwater from its own catchment area. The Veeranam scheme enabled the City to tide over acute water shortage in the city on many a times. In order to further augment the growing need for water to the city, the  need meet the drinking water requirements of Chennai, Chief minister has  laid the foundation stone for the Rs 330 crore project involving linking of two lakes in Kannankottai and Thervoykandigai villages in neighbouring Thiruvallur.  A total of 1000 mcft (one tmcft) of water could be stored in this reservoir by filling it up twice a year. The reservoir will be used to store water received from the Krishna river in Andhra Pradesh under an agreement with that state besides the rainwater received during monsoon seasons This schme will go a long way to augment the supply of drinking water to the city and its suburbs. Still  there is a wide gap between the demand and supply of water in the Chennai Metropolitan Area (CMA). But there is wide scope for augmenting the water requirements of CMA by rejuvenating the numerous lakes and ponds in this region. In fact, this region has the distinction of having the largest number of a network of lakes, ponds and estuaries in Tamilnadu. As urbanisation proceeded, many of the lakes and tanks have been destroyed to pave way for human settlement. And only a few lakes and tanks are remaining in the area Chennai City covering the city corporation limits. But reports show that these remaining lakes and ponds are being encroached upon by real estate developers and small communities. The public works department as well as local bodies have been mute spectators to the pernicious practice of encroachment of such as lakes and tanks and other water bodies. The suburban areas of CMA are estimated to have more than 3000 lakes and ponds. Although many of these  lakes and tanks are not important for agricultural requirements because of the decline farming activates due to urbanisation,  their preservation and  restoration are vital for meeting the rapidly growing demand for water in the city for domestic, industrial, commercial and other requirements. But it is saddening to note that most of these lakes and tanks are in danger of ruin due to encroachment by real estate tycoons with political patronage and official connivance. Corruption and bribery are the root causes of such mindless ruin of water bodies. The concerned officials are silent spectators of encroachment and spoil of water bodies  for they are able to fill their pockets with the illegal gratification received from the encroachers. It is gratifying to note that the government has at last woken up and plans are afoot to protect and restore the tanks and lakes   situated in the CMA. Agriculture still continues to be an important source of livelihoods in many areas of CMA. Therefore, the protection and maintenance of the lakes and tanks are important for sustain the livelihood of the remaining farmers. Moreover, the population of Chennai City and its suburbs are going to witness enormous growth of population. It is estimated that the population of Chennai City is expected to reach the 10 million mark by 2021.  So the preservation of these lakes and ponds is quite essential for meeting the demand for water for different purposes for the growing population. Moreover, restoration of the water bodies is essential to improve the local ecology and public spaces.  The plan to involve local people in the restoration projects is a good idea. The Chennai Rivers Restoration Trust, which is entrusted with the restoration of lakes and ponds, should be strengthened with more staff and adequate funds. The government should prepare a master plan to restore and preserve all water bodies in CMA as well as in rest of the state.
The Times of India, September 13, 2013.