Velachery lake, one of the few big waterbodies within city limits, is a flood reservoir for several residential colonies in south Chennai.
In a neglected state and full of water hyacinth, the lake has awaited restoration for more than a decade now. Though an eco-restoration of the lake was announced in the State Assembly over a year ago the plan is yet to take shape.
It has been more than a decade since the Chennai Corporation and the Water Resources department had planned to take up restoration of the lake and also launch boating facility.
But the proposal never took off. Even as plans are being drawn, dropped and redrawn, residents worry that the proposals have remained only on paper with the lake slowly shrinking every year.
Encroachers have been gradually eating into the lake area.
₹25 crore project
The WRD has now submitted an estimate to restore the lake on the lines of water bodies in Chetpet and Paruthipattu. Sources in the WRD said a proposal has been submitted and is awaiting government’s nod.
The ₹25 crore project envisages deepening of the lake, strengthening of bund, paving of foothpath and construction of greenery around the lake.
While the authorities talk of plans to restore the lake, residents complained the authorities never take into consideration the small portion of the lake being used for dumping waste.