The Hindu             31.10.2013

Ooty Lake pollution prevention measures gain momentum

A major work entrusted to the Public Works Department-Water Resources Organisation (PWD-WRO) to prevent pollution of the Ooty Lake is nearing completion, according to P. Shankar, District Collector of the Nilgiris.

Speaking to The Hindu here on Wednesday, he said that the work involved the cleaning of the 3.06 km Kodappamund Channel which cuts through the town at a cost of Rs. 1.2 crore and the construction of a sewage treatment plant (STP) near the lake at a cost of Rs.1.05 crore. Over 90 per cent of the work has been completed.

Stating that trial runs have commenced at the STP, he said that it would be commissioned soon. The total amount sanctioned by the Government to clean the lake was Rs. 4.77 crore, he said.

Pointing out that instructions have been issued to construct retaining walls wherever necessary along the channel to prevent soil erosion, he said that the officials have been asked to erect fences to prevent dumping of discarded items into the channel. Efforts would be made to create awareness among the people particularly those residing along the channel and the lake about the need to keep them clean. A committee would be formed for this. Effluents of 13 buildings situated around the lake are entering the lake.

The Lake Management Committee formed by the Government has become a registered society. A Rs. 9 crore proposal has been submitted for putting in place a submersible diffuser system for keeping the lake water clean. Since the Tamil Nadu Water Investment Company Limited has come up with another proposal, a meeting would be held on November 9. He said that steps would be taken to provide sewage connections to 6,745 households which have not been covered in the existing underground sewage scheme. Earlier Mr. Shankar inspected the Kodappamund channel and the STP. Among those who accompanied him was the Project Director, Hill Area Development Programme (HADP), Srinivas R.Reddy.