Repair of lakes, reservoirs begins for judicious use of water

Officials said that they would also explore the possibilities of adding a couple of lakes to tide over the looming crisis that is expected to intensify when the summer will reach its peak by next month.

PWD sources said that major reservoirs like Chembarambakkam, Poondi, Red Hills and Sholavaram and a some more lakes would be included in the project. Though there are many waterbodies in the Chennai region, the available storage has been either polluted or wasted and not fit for drinking. Considering this, the government has decided to take up cleaning and repairing works in them to increase the scope of conservation. 

Work would be completed before the onset of Southwest monsoon and water bodies in and around Chennai need to be kept ready for better water management system. “Though we have continuously been undertaking minor works in the lakes, the proposed work will be a massive initiative. Chennai region has around 11 major lakes and we will explore the possibilities to draw drinking water from them because the Chennai metro water board is at present depended only on four lakes to meet the city’s demand,” said a PWD official. 

Asked, why they had abandoned work in lakes like Porur and Nemam midway, the official said that work would soon resume in those places. “We have been instructed by the government to take up lake improvement work as the lakes are dry now. We will repair sluices, strengthen the bunds and remove silt and hyacinths,” he said. 

When asked about the funds, he confirmed that they have received a communication from the government on the allocation of necessary funds soon.