Corporation to restore 174 waterbodies in city

A senior Corporation official said that 174 waterbodies across the city will be taken up for restoration. “A proposal has been sent to Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited (TNUIFSL) for the restoration of 174 water bodies, including lakes, ponds and tanks. For 32 waterbodies, a detailed project report (DPR) has been prepared. Last week, TNUIFSL appointed consultants to prepare DPR for 24 additional waterbodies. The remaining waterbodies will soon be taken up,” said the official, adding that a few projects may be taken up under Smart City funding. 

Recently, Villivakam lake was taken up for restoration by the Corporation, the first waterbody restoration project under Smart City funding. Officials hope that this is the first among many other similar restorations. At an estimated cost of Rs 16 crore, the restoration will involve not only cleaning up the waterbody but also adding facilities such as a basketball court, children’s play area, walking track and even an open-air theatre. This is a positive move, as residents are happy that their neighbourhood waterbody will get a fresh lease of life and the creation of community spaces. Harirangan P, a resident of Villivakkam’s Sidco Nagar, said, “It is good to know that the lake will become a community space, which can be used by the residents.” 

Environmentalist Arun Krishnamurthy lauded this move, stating that it was the need of the hour. “This is a positive move, which will rebuild the city in 2018,” said the founder of Environmentalist Foundation of India, which has undertaken the restoration of 50 waterbodies across south India in 2018.

Many activists believe that this should be a community effort, involving the local residents, who can ensure constant monitoring and long-term maintenance of the water body. After the 2015 floods, officials and residents alike have begun working proactively to safeguard the city’s remaining waterbodies, which are affected by encroachments, sewage inflow and garbage dumping, threatening the existence of these ecologically sensitive structures.