Before development arrived on Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR), Kosa Eri in Sholinganallur was much bigger and a lifeline to farmers in Sholinganallur and surrounding areas. Spread over 75 acres, it was a feeder lake for the agricultural lands in the area. Now, it has shrunk to 25 acres, one-third of its original size. According to local residents, the size of the lake reduced partly because of the Aavin milk factory and the EB office. At present, the government has sanctioned the construction of a few facilities, including a police station in the land adjacent to the lake. Work on constructing the police station has already begun.
Once, the lake was a big attraction for local residents who wanted to go fishing. Now, unauthorised dumping of garbage around the lake is taking pace, and this is going unnoticed by civic authorities. There is a case for restoring whatever is left of Kosa Eri, and developing it along the lines of the Chetpet lake. Besides creation of an eco park with tracks for walkers and joggers, provisions for boating and fishing could be made at the lake. Among the things that it has going for it is location. Kosa Eri is located bang opposite the Infosys office in Sholinganallur. As Sholinganallur falls in the middle section of the IT Corridor, people living on the stretch will find it easy to visit such a facility.
The lake is under the maintenance of the PWD Department. It can be handed over to the Fisheries Department or development of the lake can be carried out by the PWD Department in collaboration with the Fisheries Department. The Chetpet lake has been under the Fisheries Department. IT Companies on OMR can sponsor the maintenance of the lake after it has been developed.
( Satish Galley is a civic activist and a resident of Semmancherry. )
