A recently restored 300-meter walkway and eco-park in Chennai’s Pallavaram Periya Eri, owned by the Water Resources Department (WRD), has sparked controversy after restrictions were imposed on entry for young people and couples. The walkway, which was restored in March 2024 at a cost of ₹50 lakh by the Tambaram Corporation and Exnora International NGO, features a children’s park, benches, and newly planted saplings. However, the restoration also came with a caveat: young people and couples are barred from entering the park.
The restrictions have faced criticism from both residents and activists, who argue that the move is discriminatory and infringes on public access to a government-owned space.
Last week, K Raju and his group of friends in their 20s were turned away from the Pallavaram lake walkway by the watchman, who cited pressure from residents of a nearby apartment complex as the reason for denying entry. The watchman, Chitti Babu, employed by the Tambaram Corporation, confirmed the restrictions, stating that couples and youngsters are not allowed, especially during the afternoons, to prevent potential anti-social activities.
Exnora’s project volunteer Manohar claimed that videos of couples and youngsters allegedly injecting drugs had been received from residents of the nearby Mantri Serene apartment complex and observed on their CCTV cameras. This led to the restriction, he said, emphasizing that the move was intended to ensure the safety of the community. However, he acknowledged that there are no official timings for the walkway and suggested that the restrictions on youngsters during afternoons might be due to lower footfall during those hours.
However, Prasad, a former office-bearer of Mantri Serene apartments, denied that the apartment residents restrict anyone from entering the lake walkway.
Tambaram Corporation Commissioner S Balachander acknowledged the issue of restricted timings and entry to the walkway, attributing it to complaints from Mantri Serene residents about misuse of the path. He clarified that the walkway is open to the public.
David Manohar, an activist with the anti-corruption watchdog Arappor Iyakkam, questioned the Tambaram Corporation’s management of a WRD-owned lake. He argued that while penalties could be imposed for illegal activities like dumping garbage, there should be no restriction on people entering a government-owned lake.
This incident highlights a recurring issue in many public spaces in India, where restrictions and discriminatory practices are often implemented with little transparency or accountability. The case also raises questions about the balance between public access and security concerns, and the role of local authorities in ensuring equitable access to public spaces.
