NGO to restore Madambakkam lake, works to begin in April

“We started the restoration work in 2018 and completed the works of two lakes in Sholinganallur and Tambaram. Both the lakes are rain-fed and the move benefited more than 5,000 people in the localities. Now, we have identified Madambakkam lake, which is also a rain-fed lake, with a capacity of 50 million cubic feet of water,” said Vijaya Rangarajan, President, Rotary Club of Madras.

“The work on this lake would commence in April and be completed in 10 months. If the waterbody is restored, it would benefit more than two lakh people in the area,” she added.

The NGO’s previous restoration portfolio includes Puducherry Keni Lake in Sholinganallur, which is spread across 10 acres and Pudhuthangal Lake in Tambaram, that is spread across 60 acres. After the restoration of the lakes, their capacity to hold water has been increased from 2.83 million cubic feet to 3.83 million cubic feet.

“The restoration work involves rapid assessment of the hydrological character of soil and water, volumetric survey of the water, silt and determining the flow of water. Apart from this, garbage and sewage are also being cleared from the waterbody. We are also constructing a walkway in the lake for the residents,” said Parul Bhatt, member, Rotary Club of Madras.

When contacted, a senior PWD official said, “We have given permission to the NGO to restore the lake and it would be monitored by the officials.”