Chennai: In an attempt to preserve the remaining portion of Mugalivakkam pond, Greater Chennai Corporation has started the construction of a compound wall around the pond, estimated to cost the government exchequer Rs 19 lakh.
The waste and debris dumped in the pond is being removed for the past six to seven months and the construction of the wall was started two weeks back. Residents of the locality have finally received a sigh of relief as the long pending woes regarding encroachments of lake would come to an end.
“As per the government estimates the pond can hold up to 20,000 litres of water which would be sufficient to cater the water needs of the residents,” said Siva, an officer of 156th ward of Alandur division.
This would be beneficial in increasing groundwater level of the locale and the lake doesn’t have any other water bodies connected to it.
In 2013, Rs 50 lakhs were earmarked for the rejuvenation of the lake from the Mayor’s funds but the funds got diverted to other projects as the temple and bus stand were under construction that time.
Jaya Kumar, joint engineer, said the pond would be dredged for the inflow of water and during the time of monsoon the excess of water will be discharged through canals. “We received complaints from the residents that attempts were being made to encroach the remaining portion of the pond too so, we decided to construct a compound wall,” said a corporation official.
The work order for this project was given on February 19 this year and is stipulated to be completed in another two months before the onset of the monsoon. The contract has been handed over to S Malarvannan, a local contractor and he also affirmed that none was evicted during the process.
With a temple, bus stand and water tank coming up, the pond area is now just 50 cents while it was initially spread over two acres. “If the corporation had conserved the lake properly in its entirety the area would not have faced the wrath of 2015 floods,” said a resident.
