The cleaning of the Ukkadam Big Tank, a Rs. 2.5 crore project aimed at recharging water aquifers and groundwater table of Coimbatore, is likely to be completed by end of June.
The project began on May 2 after Residents Awareness Association of Coimbatore (RAAC), a private body, got sanction from Collector M. Karunagaran to clear the Ukkadam Big Tank and the Singanallur Tank of silt to enhance their water storage.
Singanallur Tank has a current area of 269.27 acres while Ukkadam Big Tank is spread across 320 acres and has a water storage capacity of 60 million cubic feet.
According to Vanita Mohan, vice-president of RAAC, the Collector had approved their request for an extension of the deadline. “There were wild shrubs and plants that had grown for decades and clearing the huge stretch of 320 acres is taking longer than anticipated. Further, rains have also slowed our work.” R. Raveendran, secretary of RAAC, said that they would be celebrating World Environment Day at the desilting site on June 9.
