Chennai: The phase three of restoration of water bodies in Tiruvallur district has begun with the public works department commencing pre-monsoon work at Retteri, Korattur and Ambattur lakes.
An expenditure of Rs 13 crore has been allotted this year to convert the three lakes into a tourist attraction, as the metro water department ruled out the possibility of using contaminated water to cater to the city’s water demand.
According to a PWD official, the project includes constructing walker paths around the lakes, strengthening their bunds and creating sand mounds to attract migratory birds. “We had restored parts of these three lakes in the past two years, at the cost of Rs 33 crore. The project would be completed at the earliest,” said a PWD official.
However, despite the southern bench of the National Green Tribunal ordering the removal of encroachments, no effective steps were taken. PWD officials, who superficially cleaned the lake and cleared the garbage, have not cleared encroachments, residents say.
“The expenditure of Rs 46 crore utilized to convert these lakes could have been used to de-silt many water bodies in the district, as they would reduce the problem of water scarcity,” said K Ramamurthy, a retired central government official said.
The restoration work is not satisfactory, said S Leelavathi, a housewife, adding that the walker path is constructed only in few parts. “Thorns and other bushes in the lake premises remain uncleared since many years. What sort of a restoration is it?” she questioned.
