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TANK STINKS LIKE A SKUNK: The temple tank in Periyar Nagar bears the tell-tale sign of neglect. Photo: T Shankaran

        Residents of Periyar Nagar in Perambur are up in arms against the civic authorities for the poor maintenance of Sundara Raja Perumal Koil temple tank.

        The tank has been left high (low would be more like it) and dry sans any desilting work for many years. As a result of which it sports a seedy look, covered with weeds and waste.

        Gnanavel, secretary, Jawahar Nagar Development and Service Society - Civic Exnora, told News Today that fervent appeals made to Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Board, which is maintaining the temple, and to the Corporation of Chennai to desilt the temple tank have so far proved futile. 'We have been demanding with the civic authorities to desilt, deepen, construct compound walls and footsteps for the temple tank since 2003,' he said.

        The secretary noted that it had even prepared a detailed project report for desilting the tank by setting up a three-member committee of engineers including one retired Superintendent Engineer of State Public Works Department. The report was submitted to the Corporation authorities in July 2003.

        Good maintenance of the temple tank has become imperative to prevent depletion of water table and also to improve the quality of ground water.

        Subramanian, a resident of the locality, complained that the stink arising from the tank was unbearable. He said the tank has already become a breeding place for mosquitoes, posing serious threat to the health of the locals.

        When contacted M Premnath, zonal officer, Chennai Corporation Zone-IV said that very soon the desilting work of the tank would be taken up. He said a tender bid had been called for cleaning and giving a face- lift to the the tank. The work would start after the finalisation of tenders.

        That, the locals hope, would be soon.