After an extended wrestle by residents, Arafath Lake set for rejuvenation

After practically a decade-long wrestle by residents and citizen teams, the Arafath Lake — a significant groundwater supply for Thirumullaivoyal — is ready for restoration at a value of ₹2 crore, beneath a scheme launched on Wednesday.

Spread over 26.40 acres, the lake abutting Chennai – Tiruvallur High Road on the jap aspect belongs to the chain of waterbodies on the town’s western fringes. Its surplus water drains into the Ambattur lake. Like many city waterbodies, Arafath Lake too is suffering from varied points, together with sewage air pollution and dumping of stable waste.

In a bid to rejuvenate the lake into an eco-park on the strains of Paruthipattu lake, the Avadi Municipal Corporation inaugurated the scheme by drawing funds from varied sources, together with MP and MLA Local Area Development funds, Corporate Environment Responsibility Fund and civic physique’s particular fund. Minister for Minorities Welfare and Non-Resident Tamils Welfare S.M. Nasar and Tiruvallur MP Sasikanth Senthil laid the inspiration stone for the venture.

Project in phases

R. Saranya, Commissioner, Avadi Municipal Corporation, mentioned the restoration venture can be applied in a phased method. Works like desilting, bund strengthening and a couple of.9-km-long promenade can be prioritised within the first section. The goal is to rejuvenate the lake as supply of groundwater recharge and flood buffer house. Noting that the lake faces challenges like encroachments and sewage discharge from areas but to be lined by the underground sewerage community, Ms. Saranya mentioned the civic physique would guarantee functioning of sewage remedy plant close to the lake and plug unlawful sewage shops.

“We plan to create leisure amenities like youngsters’s play space, open air gyms, yoga centre and library within the subsequent phases. There are plans so as to add merchandising zone and viewpoints too,” she added.

Welcoming the initiative, residents of Srinivasapuram mentioned measures have to be taken to arrest sewage air pollution. Though groundwater was out there at a depth of 5-10 ft, it was of poor high quality.

S. Sundaramurthy, president, Puzhal Eri Arafath Eri Pathukappu Makkal Iyakkam, mentioned sewage flowed into the lake from areas like Manikandapuram and Saravana Nagar.  Several protests had been performed up to now. “The authorities should be sure that the lake is improved with out compromising on its storage capability. A regulator have to be mounted within the weir close to Chozhambedu Main Road to regulate the flood discharge,” he mentioned.