Villivakkam eco-park to be ready by June, says GCC

Chennai: Having failed to meet multiple inaugural dates, including the last one in Dec 2024, the Villivakkam eco park and lake expansion project has again been delayed. The latest excuse is that at least 53 encroachers secured a stay from Madras high court over its inauguration.
Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) commissioner J Kumaragurubaran said a batch of encroachers filed a case in court without adding GCC as a respondent, and secured a stay. "We got to know about this only when we went to remove the encroachments recently. Now, we have filed an impleading petition, and it has been numbered. We will inform the court that GCC will provide them alternative housing and will restore the lake," he said.
Out of 150 encroachments, GCC removed close to 90 last Sept. The drive was stalled as some students were readying to appear for examinations. The corporation is also yet to construct perimeter walls, walkways in some parts, and fence the new pond being created in an 8.5-acre area.
Deputy commissioner (works) V Shivakrishnamurthy said the eco-park will open by the end of June. "The contractor is working to create amusement parks, canteen, and boating facilities," he said. The restoration project commenced following a National Green Tribunal order to restore the lake, which shrank from 214 acres to just 39 acres over time.
A 250-metre long Singaporean glass bridge built here at a cost of 30 crore has been lying idle for two years now. The bridge offers a stunning view of the lake from a 41-foot height and can hold up to 50 people at a time.
S Sekharan, secretary of Korattur Aeri Padhukappu Makkal Iyakkam, said the restoration of at least ten water bodies in Puzhal, Ambattur, Korattur, and Villivakkam are stuck because of encroachments. "Govt does not remove encroachments without the Madras HC directing them. This project is lying idle for four years. The courts must look into it," he said.