Soon people could find a place in the town to spend their leisure time and enjoy the nature’s beauty as work has begun to desilt the Chettimarkulam and Tirupakulam, both located near Narasimhar Temple and adjacent to Namakkal Fort.
The two lakes, said to be constructed during 7{+t}{+h}century, served as a place for holy dip after which devotees visited Narasimhar Temple and Anjaneyar Temple.
Also, these lakes served as a major drinking water source for people for over many years.
However, with residential areas mushrooming around the temple, these lakes were used for dumping debris and waste materials for the past 40 years. With appeals from all quarters pouring in for renovation of the lakes, the Namakkal Municipality had in August 2014 submitted proposals in this connection at a cost of Rs. 44.50 lakh. However, funds were not sanctioned. On a request from Namakkal MLA K.P.P. Baskar, the State government sanctioned the funds under the MLA Local Area Development Scheme.
Project
The project includes desilting of lakes, strengthening of bunds, creation of pathways, providing seating arrangements, establishing lawns and lighting facilities.
Namakkal Municipal Commissioner Ashok Kumar told The Hindu that work had begun recently and was expected to be completed in a month’s time.
Currently, the town has only one park with play materials for children along Park Road where local people, devotees and tourists throng in large numbers during evening hours.
