Rajakilpakkam Lake Near Tambaram Shrinks By 70 Percent Due To Encroachments

Local residents have demanded the restoration of the Rajakilpakkam lake near Tambaram after years of neglect, encroachment, and untreated wastewater discharge reduced the sprawling 100-acre waterbody to a polluted 30-acre space. The significant reduction represents a 70 percent loss of the lake's original size.

The lake was once an important rainwater storage source for the locality. It naturally receives stormwater runoff from Camp Road, Selaiyur, and surrounding residential areas. However, its capacity to store clean water has been severely compromised.

According to local residents, several households and commercial establishments have illegally tampered with stormwater drains in the area. These entities have diverted raw sewage directly into the lake instead of allowing clean stormwater to flow into it.

This discharge of untreated wastewater has severely affected the water quality of the lake. The pollution has destroyed the local aquatic life and led to the rapid, uncontrolled spread of dense mats of water hyacinth across the remaining water surface.

In addition to pollution, physical encroachments have steadily eaten away at the waterbody. At least 15 houses have been constructed directly within the lake area itself. Residents stated that these illegal encroachments continue to rise despite their repeated complaints to the authorities.

The issue of unauthorized construction is long-standing. A 2021 inspection conducted by the Public Works Department (PWD) had identified approximately 960 illegal structures in and around the lake. Locals reported that the number of these illegal structures has only gone up in the past few years since that inspection.

While residents are calling for urgent restoration action, administrative divisions remain a factor. Tambaram Corporation Commissioner S Balachander stated that although the Rajakilpakkam lake falls within the corporation limits, the waterbody is officially maintained by the Water Resources Department (WRD).