Chitlapakkam Lake cleansing and restoration - State Government allots Rs. 25.Crores
Posted on: 20/Nov/2019 12:59:13 PM
Chitlapakkam lake is one of the most important water resources in the Chennai Metro City suburban localities. This lake is under the jurisdiction of the PWD (Public Works Department).
The lake was original of 100 acres’ area and remains the main groundwater resource for the residents of Chromepet, Chitlapakkam, and Hasthinapuram.
In this situation, due to the unauthorized aggression of the lands in the lake surroundings, the area of the lake has reduced to 47 acres.
Further, as the drainage water in the residences is let out to this lake, the lake water cannot be used.
The public has been putting up an appeal for a long period for the urgent desilting of the Chitlapakkam lake. However, PWD had not taken any action on this.
So, the public resolved to take up the desilting activity by themselves. In this scenario, during the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Session, Chief Minister E. Palaniswamy announced that the restoration of the Chitlapakkam lake will be taken p under Act 110 at a cost of Rs. 25 Crores.
Subsequently, Rs, 25 Crores fund has been allotted for this as per the Government Order released by the Secretary of the Department of Environment Shambu Kalolikar. The order mentions:
Chitlapakkam lake covers an area of 219 acres including the surrounding agricultural lands. In order to take up the renovation of this lake, the unauthorized occupations in the lake surrounding the area are being removed in the 1st Phase of the lake cleansing activity.
Further, the lake capacity which is 7.02 million cft has now been reduced to the sand-pits. This will be restored. The banks of the lake will be strengthened. Protection walls are being raised in order to prevent wastage/draining out of the excess water. The excess water will be diverted through the flood-water drain pipes.
The effluent water will be blocked from entering the lake and will be diverted to the water purification centers. The purification plant will be set up in 2 years.’
A PWD official informed that once these activities get completed, the lake water will be utilized as per the demands in the Chennai Metro city and its suburbs.
