Chennai: After being asked by their party high command to protect and preserve water bodies, opposition DMK MLAs in Chennai and Kancheepuram are now vying with each other in showing their ‘sudden’ concern to protect water bodies that have lost their carrying capacity. After DMK leader M.K. Stalin kickstarted desilting works at his Kolathur constituency, it is the turn of Alandur MLA T. M. Anbarasan.
“Three water bodies in the Alandur zone will soon get a fresh lease of life. Moovarasanpet pond, Thandalam and Gerugambakkam temple tanks will soon be a source of fr-esh water,” said T.M. Anbarasan. “The renovation works have commenced and a new walkers path will come up along the stretch of Gangai Amman Kovil temple tank in Moovarasampert that extends for 2 acres. Similarly Thandalam water body sprawling over 2.5 acre and the neighboring Gerugambakkam temple tank will also be restored,” the MLA said.
A sum of Rs 57 lakh from the area development fund has been allotted for the rejuvenation of the ponds. It may be noted that Saidapet MLA M. Subramanian had also submitted the details of three water bodies in south Chennai asking the civic authorities to desilt the water bodies under MLA funds.
“The project is a ray of hope to a lot of people as it would help to recharge groundwater and add life to these ponds, filled with garbage often. We expect the project to start soon and such initiatives should be encouraged for the rejuvenation of waterbodies,” secretary of federation of Moovarasanpet Welfare Associations G.P. Babu said.
While a few temple tanks have caught the attention of elected MLAs’ a lot of small ponds in south Chennai are awaiting action. “We want the authorities to speed up the rejuvenation of the lake filled with garbage. If all these water bodies are restored, we don’t have to worry about water crisis”, said Hamna V., a resident of Moovarasampet.
