Work on the rejuvenation of Keelkattalai and Pallavaram lakes in the southern suburbs has finally begun.
Initiated by the Pallavaram Municipality under Tamil Nadu Sustainable Urban Development Project (TNSUDP), strengthening of bunds is under way at the Keelkattalai lake, which was spread across the Thoraipakkam-Pallavaram Radial Road.
There was tremendous pressure from residents welfare associations and political parties on the restoration of the waterbodies after the 2015 deluge.
The State government has drawn up a proposal to carry out improvement works on the Pallavaram lake and the Keelkattalai lake — both situated along the Pallavaram-Thoraipakkam radial road — at a combined outlay of ₹2 crore in 2015.
The State government allocated ₹14.98 crore for the proposed work and the job envisages improvement of these two lakes.
About 60% of the cost would be drawn under the TNSUDP, 30% as grant from the State government and the remaining 10% would be the Pallavaram Municipality’s contribution.
Bio-mining project
In addition, ₹7 crore would be spent on a bio-mining project to clear garbage from the Pallavaram lake.
While residents living around the Pallavaram lake are glad, bio-mining of Pallavaram lake is the need of the hour, as it would help to save more quantum of rain water. An official from Pallavaram Municipality said that these two works supposed to be major ones would be completed in 18 months.