Chennai: Tardy pace of lake restoration irks public

Chennai: It's two-and-half years since the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) started a Rs 16 crore project, in which it proposed eco-restoration works in the Villivakkam lake.

Even as officials claimed that works are being gradually taken up, residents cry foul and accuse officials of leaving the work unattended.

Sources said that a pooja to commence the works was performed in 2017 itself. The project which includes boating facility and a children's park, has not seen any progress so far, even though a couple of earthmovers are seen lazily moving around. The GCC planned to take up renovation works in a sizeable number of lakes including Ambattur and Madhavaram under the 'Smart City' project, a task that should be executed by the GCC.

Meanwhile, Villivakkam residents alleged that officials have dug up big trenches near residential buildings, posing a threat to them.

"Work should have been completed by this time. Yet, things seem to be unmoved. We are regularly seeing earthmovers inside the lake, but there is no progress," said K Nathan, resident of Villivakkam.

Likewise, another resident complained that he was very happy in the beginning, thinking that the landscape of the place would change for the better.

"But, my happiness was short-lived. Not only there was no improvement, but the lake also became bone dry due to poor rainfall this year," the resident added.

An engineer, GCC, said that the eco-tourist spot would have walking path, Aavin parlour and children's park. Further, the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board planned to construct a  Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) near the lake.

When contacted, a senior GCC official denied that they had taken up only half of the work. "We are gradually working and it will be completed in the next six months. Since we are taking up similar works in various lakes under the smart city project, all the works can't be completed simultaneously," the official said.