Untreated sewage continues to enter Chennai’s Retteri Lake as the Northeast monsoon approaches, while water hyacinth, vegetation and poor upkeep affect the lake’s bund, walkway and public facilities. The condition has renewed concerns about whether earlier restoration and beautification work has delivered a functioning water body.
Vegetation has spread across sections of the bund and pedestrian walkway, with overgrowth nearly obscuring iron railings and parts of the compound wall. Water hyacinth has covered stretches of the lake, raising fears among residents that it could spread further during the rains if it is not removed.
The sewage is reportedly entering Retteri Lake through a feeder canal carrying water from Ambattur and Korattur lake. D Neelakannan, president of the Tamil Nadu Alliance of Resident Welfare Associations, said the issue had been flagged earlier but that no intervention had stopped the flow of untreated sewage.
“A lake cannot be restored while sewage continues to flow into it. We need restoration, not another round of cosmetic improvements,” Neelakannan said.
Retteri Lake is also home to facilities introduced during an earlier administration, including boating infrastructure, parking areas and an eatery. These facilities appeared poorly maintained, according to the report. The condition of the public areas adds to concerns that maintenance has not kept pace with the money already spent on deepening, restoration and beautification.
The lake’s significance extends beyond its appearance. Retteri has the potential to support flood management, groundwater recharge, biodiversity and local water security. However, sewage inflows and unchecked aquatic growth can undermine those functions, particularly during periods of heavy rain.
C Raghukumar, a resident and civic activist in North Chennai, said public funds had already been spent on restoration-related work and that the Water Resources Department should now focus on making the lake operational as a water body. He called for accountability and long-term maintenance before heavy rain tests the lake again.
The approaching Northeast monsoon has increased the urgency of the concerns. The report did not establish whether a specific sewage-diversion, desilting or water-hyacinth-removal schedule has been issued. Despite multiple attempts by The Times of India, a Water Resources Department official was unavailable for comment.
The immediate issue for the department is therefore to address the sewage entry point and restore basic maintenance around the lake before the next spell of heavy rain, while clarifying how earlier restoration work will be maintained.
