Private agencies use CSR funding to restore 21 waterbodies in city

On Tuesday, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed and a permission was granted for private organisations to take up the restoration of their neighbourhood waterbodies. Corporation sources revealed that two ponds in Sholinganallur — Pudhuchery Keni estimated at a cost of Rs 2.12 crore will be restored by the Rotary Club of Madras and Odaikenikulam estimated at Rs 52 lakh will be revived by the Rotary Club of Madras East. 

The Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) has taken up the process of funding the detailed project report (DPR) for 19 waterbodies, following which they will initiate a proposal for restoring these ecological features. 

The Corporation has 206 waterbodies under its jurisdiction, out of which 32 ponds are being restored in North Chennai (Manali and Madhavaram). In addition, 24 waterbodies have been identified, out of which the Rotary Clubs will undertake the restoration of two ponds. 

“CII has agreed to fund the preparation of the detailed project report (DPR) of 19 ponds, following which they will have to apply for approval to undertake the restoration of these waterbodies,” said a Corporation official. 

The Corporation has also put up a system in place to fix accountability. “Seven days after the signing of MoU, the work should begin. The Corporate should complete the restoration work within three months,” added the official. 

The restoration will be taken up in partnership with the Corporation. “The Corporate agency will undertake works such as deepening the lake, strengthening the bunds and all other aspects of restoration. However, for larger waterbodies with a higher estimate, the Corporation will chip in,” said the official. 

While the terms and conditions of eco-restoration have been spelled out, little has been spoken about maintenance – a crucial factor to protect waterbodies. “As of now, maintenance has not been discussed. If the Corporates are interested, they can approach the Corporation and an arrangement can be arrived at,” said the official. 

The framework in place will allow speedy approval of such projects, said a senior Corporation official. “The requests by Corporates were processed within a week,” added the official.