The Kodaikanal lake renovation was among development projects, costing about Rs. 145 crore, announced by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Wednesday. The projects covered the municipalities of Kumbakonam, Kodaikanal and Karur.
In a statement, she said the lake renovation project, estimated to cost Rs. 87.96 crore, would include removal of silt, hyacinth and other such unnecessary water plants from the lake; laying storm water drains in and around the lake; putting in place solid and liquid waste management; making arrangements for car parking; gardening; and improving roads. It would also cover beautification of the boat house.
The announcement also pertained to the improvement of basic amenities in the town of Kumbakonam, which would host ‘Mahamaham’ [a festival held once in 12 years] in February 2016.
A host of projects, costing Rs. 43.78 crore, would be taken up. Among the projects were a Rs. 11.17 crore-solid waste management project; road works for Rs. 10.76 crore; a Rs.8-crore bridge on Melacauvery; water supply works for Rs.2.44 crore and improvement of toilets (cost: Rs. 80 lakh).
As for Karur, two subways — in Kualthupalayam-Erode-Karur rail section and in Tiruchi-Karur-Dindigul section of North Pasupathipalayam — would be constructed in association with the Railways.
The Chief Minister gave an account of various projects implemented in the last three years in the three municipalities. Bids would be floated shortly for an underground sewer project, costing Rs. 140 crore, in Kodaikanal.
Preparatory work was underway for the Rs.43.29-crore Lower Gundar drinking water supply project for this hill town. Besides, a total of 132 works, costing Rs. 27.31 crore, was taken up, most of which had been completed.
In Kumbakonam, 234 works had been carried out at a cost of Rs. 35.44 crore. In Karur, most of the 608 works, costing Rs. 108.53 crore, was implemented. A water supply improvement project, costing Rs. 68.4 crore, was being executed for Karur, Inam Karur and Thanthoni areas, using funding assistance from German government’s KfW development bank.
