Neglected water body spruced up in Pondicherry

Puducherry: Puducherry's citizens can now enjoy walks and boating rides along Kanakan lake situated at the heart of the city, thanks to the efforts of Lt Governor Kiran Bedi.

The lake is one among the 84 water tanks in the Union Territory. The water body, one of the main sources of groundwater, was neglected for years and got sullied with drain water. It was manifested with water hyacinth turning it into another polluted water body. The Lt Governor who visited the lake as part of her weekend rounds on September 18, urged the officials to revive the water body and turn it into a tourist destination

Ms Bedi, who gave complete attention to the revival of the water body, visited the lake every Saturday from December 30, 2017  to check the progress in work till the completion of it.

After flagging off the boat service and dedicating the lake to the public the Lt Governor said "We have our own system which was adopted in reviving the Kanakan lake, by bringing together various departments, volunteers, students, and social activists. The same system should be adopted to develop other water bodies also."

"We always look for resources, if all the agencies pooled in we can definitely transform any system into success", she said. The Lt Governor said that the water body will be protected by forming a committee of residents and officials.
PWD minister a Namasivayam who was also present on the occasion said that the water body was revived with the full efforts of the Lt Governor and the government would pay attention to protect, promote and maintain the lake. The minister also assured that the government would further develop  the water body by introducing entertainment activities to attract tourists as suggested by the Lt Governor

Leader of opposition  N. Rangasamy who participated in the function thanked the Lt Governor for her efforts to develop the lake. The former Chief Minister had also suggested that if the PWD department does not have enough funds to protect the water body, it can be handed over to the tourism department for further developments.

Rangasamy had met Ms Bedi at her office on Thursday reportedly to thank her efforts to revive Kanakan lake which falls under Thattanchavady constituency which he represented for 4 consecutive terms from 1991.

The tourism department is proposed to set up a cafeteria and a kiosk at the lake. To further the green surroundings of the lake and the pathway, the forest department will undertake plantation of trees.