Angling and other water sports will be promoted in the 15-acre lake
Chetpet Lake. (Photo: DC)
Chennai: After seven years, Chetpet lake is being restored. The state fisheries department has planned boating and fishing facilities at a cost of Rs 42 crore and the restoration work will gain momentum by next week.
It is a project announced by Chief Minister, J. Jayalalithaa, last year and after paper work, the construction and restoration work have commenced. By next year the lake will be ready with recreational facilities.
Angling and other water sports will be promoted in the 15-acre lake and the corporation has already interconnected the storm water drains to ensure that the lake receives copious inflow, a senior Fisheries Department official said. According to the plan the lake upon restoration will have a boating jetty and restaurant promoting seafood. At present clearing of water hyacinth and desilting work are underway, the official added.
“The proposal is a promise to Chennaiites, who are starved of recreation facilities and the authorities should allow only eco friendly boats with pedals,” said G. Vaishnavi, a college student residing in Chetpet.
“Earlier local residents will go for walks in the nearby Nehru Park, but the park has been closed for metro rail construction. Provision of jogging tracks in Chetpet lake will be a bonanza for morning walkers,” said Murray Wilson, a gym instructor in central Chennai.
It was a long bureaucratic dilemma for the Chennai corporation and the fisheries department and the idea of beautifying the lake in Central Chennai started during early 2000, but due to various reasons the project failed to take shape. In 2012, the city civic body resolved to beautify the lake and now after delays the lake is to be beautified by the fisheries department. In 2010, metro water and Chennai corporation stopped a few sewer lines that drained waste into the lake and the waste outlet from Kilpauk Medical College was also halted.
( Source : dc correspondent )
Next Story
