Work to desilt 100 waterbodies is under progress in the city and the tanks will be ready before monsoon to help recharge groundwater tables, M. Govinda Rao, Deputy Commissioner (works), Chennai Corporation, said here on Wednesday.
Speaking at a function to dedicate the tank of the Sri Gangaiamman temple desilted by the Confederation of Indian Industry and Grundfos Pumps India at Injambakkam, he said that the Corporation had set up a single window system to grant permission within a week for desilting waterbodies in the city.
N. K. Ranganath, chairman, Job Creation Sub Committee, CII-SR and managing director, Grundfos Pumps, said locals must take ownership of the tank and ensure that it is not misused or encroached upon, and sewage is not let into it.
Ravi Sam, chairman (Sustainability), Corporate Social Responsibility, CII-SR and managing director, Adwaith Lakshmi Industries, said that without the participation of the public, restored waterbodies cannot be maintained.
On the request for a children’s play area, he said it would be done in association with the residents.
31 waterbodies
S. Narasimhan, co-chairman, AA Sub Committee, CII-SR and Managing Director, Sattva Logistics, said that the CII had taken up the restoration of 31 waterbodies around Chennai with the support of the State government.
Raj Cherubal, chief executive officer, Chennai Smart City Ltd, said that the work on the tanks were progressing well and since each of them had problems, they were in various stages of completion.
