After years of neglect, it seems the Villivakkam lake is finally going to be rejuvenated. The sprawling lake spread over 36.50 acres and located adjacent to the thickly populated Sidco Nagar in Villivakkam has been proposed to be renovated by the Chennai Corporation at a cost of ₹16 crore.
Park, food plaza
A senior official of the Chennai Corporation said the renovation of the lake will be taken up under the Smart City Project and would involve removing the piled up construction debris, deepening of the lake, setting up a children’s park and food plaza, installation of water pollution control equipment, and other amenities to protect the lake.
The lake, which belongs to the Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB), is in a poor condition with a major portion of it filled with garbage and debris excavated for metro rail work.
The Corporation official said of the 36.50 acres, the Metrowater has earmarked 11.50 acres for construction of sewage pumping station and augmentation of water supply facility. The remaining portion has gradually reduced in width due to dumping of construction debris resulting in the lake not being able to absorb water during the rainy season. This is the main reason for the residents of Sidco Nagar in Villivakkam suffering from floods during 2015.
The foundation stone-laying ceremony for the renovation work would be held on Wednesday.
Floating wetland system
The civic body has proposed to install bio-filters, floating wetland system and online sensors to monitor the water quality on a regular basis.
It has been planned to strengthen the bunds using modern techniques.
