DC impact: PWD commences desilting of Korattur lake

Chennai: After back-to-back coverage on the pathetic state of Korattur lake, the public works department has taken up restoration works.

A stretch of the Korattur lake near Kallikuppam is being desilted and survey is being taken to assess the capacity of the parched lake.

The works include strengthening the bund and deepening the lake, so that it holds the good storage capacity. The inlets and outlets of the lake, which is now blocked with garbage would also be cleared, said officials.

“The works, estimated at Rs 1 crore, would be completed within two months, so that the North East monsoon rains would be utilized to increase the ground water table,” an assistant engineer from the public works department told Deccan Chronicle.

This paper had earlier reported on the state of the sprawling lake, with water hyacinth plants occupying the water and thorns seen all over the lake. It may be noted that the other stretches of the lake had already been desilted and deepened.

Pre-monsoon works also include constructing walker paths and sand mounds, as part of the beautification works in the prominent lakes in Tiruvallur district. The works at Korattur, Retteri and Ambattur lakes would be completed at the earliest, assured PWD officials.