NHAI dumps debris in Odiyur lake

Authorities claim to have nod; activists say waterbody as vital as Vedanthangal, Point Calimere SV KRISHNA CHAITANYA @ Chennai AS part of ECR expansion under Bharatmala project, NHAI is carrying out a major bridge work inside Odiyur lake, for which tonnes of debris and earthen material are being dumped in the waterbody.

- SV KRISHNA CHAITANYA

While NHAI officials say all necessary clearances have been obtained, environmentalists demand protection for Odiyur lake from future land diversion as it is a biodiversity hotspot and attracts close to one lakh migratory birds annually. They say Odiyur is as important as Point Calimere and Vedanthangal bird sanctuaries. There is an existing two-lane bridge across Odiyur lake connecting Paramenkeni and Mudaliyarkuppam village. The approaches to the bridge are on an 'S' curve. NHAI officials say it was building the new bridge of 490 m length to improve the geometrics, keeping road users' safety in mind and to meet the design speed requirements of 100 km/hr.

Recently, an application was filed before the southern bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) by fishermen activist K Saravanan objecting to NHAI dumping large quantum of debris into the wetland saying the activity was contempt of court as there is a standing order, preventing NHAI from infringing within the lake area.