For years, Vandiyur tank located in Melamadai, has been a cesspool of juliflora plants and sewage. Residents who live along the waterbody have complained about nauseating stench and mosquito menace. In a bid to change the situation, Member of Legislative Assembly V.V. Rajan Chellappa has donated ₹5 lakh to clean and maintain the water body.
Collector K. Veera Raghava Rao said that the Public Works Department tank would play an important role in replenishing the groundwater, particularly in wards like Gomathipuram, Tahsildar Nagar, Vandiyur, Melamadai, Managari, Anna Nagar and K. K. Nagar.
All the above areas, despite their proximity to the waterbody, face severe water crisis. The tank covers a water spread area of 278 hectares.
“With coordinated efforts from various departments, the tank is being cleaned. We hope that the effort would improve the water holding capacity,” he said.
The MLA explained that residents and resident welfare associations had effectively communicated the importance of the tank and stressed the need for its maintenance.
“Residents of this area have brought the problem to my notice but nothing had been done. The groundwater in these areas had dropped to over 600 feet. If we clean the tank and store water, it will help to augment the water level,” he said. He added that several initiatives had been taken by the Corporation for development of the tank.
Commissioner S. Aneesh Sekhar said that investment between ₹40 and 50 crore would be made for redevelopment of parks.
“As part of the Smart City Mission, we have planned to develop the lake front. It will be modelled on Marine Drive in Mumbai providing a recreational space for walking, cycling and hanging out. It will not be restricted to the park and extend to the bund,” he said.
He said that the Corporation was trying to improve the water holding capacity of the tank by deepening it. More details would be available after preparation of the project report, he added.