PWD to restore Adambakkam lake next month

“The main aim of the project is to improve the water storage capacity in the lake and increase the groundwater level in the locality. We need more than a month to remove the garbage and water hyacinth since the lake is polluted by the residents. Earlier, we use to clean the garbage every week, but the locals have continued to throw garbage,” said Radhakrishnan, Assistant Executive Engineer, PWD.

The tender has been passed in January, and the work would be starting in March. As part of the restoration works, the lake would be desilted, bund raised, and plantation and fencing would be done, added the official. The project would also include setting up of a sewage treatment plant to ensure that the freshwater enters the lakes. Also, the cut-and-cover drain would be constructed along the road and joined with Veerangal Odai. The flood regulator outlet for Adambakkam Lake would be constructed and connected with it.

Meanwhile, the residents pointed out that the lake had been maintaining the groundwater table level but was polluted because of the garbage being dumped into the lake. Added to that, the sewage was also let into the lake, as a result which has affected the groundwater.

“Earlier, after permitting the volunteers to clean the garbage and water hyacinth every week, they cleaned the lake by them for a month. They also update us regularly. However, the residents started to dump the waste again. To stop the public from throwing waste, we are constructing a fence,” said Radhakrishnan.