After nearly a decade-long struggle by residents and citizen groups, the Arafath Lake -- a major groundwater source for Thirumullaivoyal -- is set for restoration at a cost of ₹2 crore, under a scheme launched on Wednesday.
Spread over 26.40 acres, the lake abutting Chennai - Tiruvallur High Road on the eastern side belongs to the chain of waterbodies on the city's western fringes. Its surplus water drains into the Ambattur lake. Like many urban waterbodies, Arafath Lake too is plagued by various issues, including sewage pollution and dumping of solid waste.
In a bid to rejuvenate the lake into an eco-park on the lines of Paruthipattu lake, the Avadi Municipal Corporation inaugurated the scheme by drawing funds from various sources, including MP and MLA Local Area Development funds, Corporate Environment Responsibility Fund and civic body's special fund. Minister for Minorities Welfare and Non-Resident Tamils Welfare S.M. Nasar and Tiruvallur MP Sasikanth Senthil laid the foundation stone for the project.
Project in phases
R. Saranya, Commissioner, Avadi Municipal Corporation, said the restoration project would be implemented in a phased manner. Works like desilting, bund strengthening and 2.9-km-long promenade would be prioritised in the first phase. The aim is to rejuvenate the lake as source of groundwater recharge and flood buffer space. Noting that the lake faces challenges like encroachments and sewage discharge from areas yet to be covered by the underground sewerage network, Ms. Saranya said the civic body would ensure functioning of sewage treatment plant near the lake and plug illegal sewage outlets.
"We plan to create recreational facilities like children's play area, open air gyms, yoga centre and library in the next phases. There are plans to add vending zone and viewpoints too," she added.
Welcoming the initiative, residents of Srinivasapuram said measures must be taken to arrest sewage pollution. Though groundwater was available at a depth of 5-10 feet, it was of poor quality.
S. Sundaramurthy, president, Puzhal Eri Arafath Eri Pathukappu Makkal Iyakkam, said sewage flowed into the lake from areas like Manikandapuram and Saravana Nagar. Several protests were done in the past. "The authorities must ensure that the lake is improved without compromising on its storage capacity. A regulator must be fixed in the weir near Chozhambedu Main Road to control the flood discharge," he said.