The sprawling and perennial Vayambachira pond, situated near Mannanthala, is all set to get a major facelift with the City Corporation including the restoration of the waterbody in the list of minor and major works to be taken up during the current financial year.
The renovation of the pond forms part of 681 works to be implemented by the civic body at a cost of Rs.48 crore in the 100 wards that fall within its limits. A detailed plan would be submitted shortly to the District Planning Committee for its approval, Work standing committee chairman V.S Padmakumar told The Hindu .
As part of renovation, the Vayambachira pond would be desilted to increase its storage capacity and a boundary wall would be constructed to prevent any sort of encroachment. A pathway would also be constructed around the pond. The civic body was also mulling on the option of arranging boating facility, he said. The other major works planned are construction of 11 Anganwadis, maintenance of school buildings, beautification of parks, construction of an open air auditorium at Pettah, and improvement of markets. The plan of things also includes construction of at least 8 kilometre new interior roads and maintenance of existing roads.
Out of the Rs.48 crore earmarked for the projects, Rs.22 crore would come as plan funds, Rs.20 crore as maintenance grant and remaining Rs.6 crore would be sourced from the civic body’s own resources.
