What is known is that the Coimbatore Corporation is in possession of eight tanks it took over around four years ago from the Public Works Department. The civic body took over the tanks in the fond hope that it could secure Central and State governments’ funds for maintenance and development.
As of today it remains a hope and the civic body is still trying its luck.
What is not known is that the Corporation is reportedly reluctant to form committees to maintain the tanks, though the suggestion to form such committees has come from the district administration.
Informed sources told The Hindu that in the past four or five meetings, the Collector Archana Patnaik herself has suggested that the civic body would do well to constitute the committees and not wait for the governments to release funds.
But, it appears that the civic body has heeded to the suggestion.
Sources said that the committees, to be formed tank-wise, would involve district administration officials, Corporation engineers, Public Works Department officers, non-government organisations' representatives, environmental activists, fishermen of the tanks concerned, residents and other stakeholders.
Their job would be to engage the local community to improve the maintenance and hygiene of the tanks.
Immediate constitution of committees is a must as things independent of the expected finances could be carried out, said Siruthuli Managing Trustee Vanitha Mohan.
For instance, the committee members could form squads to prevent debris dumping at unearthly hours into the water bodies. Two, the committee could look into bin distribution for those who live along the bund to prevent them from throwing waste. And, they could be educated to join conservation efforts.
An officer said that measures like building toilets could be taken up so as to prevent people from defecating near tanks.
