After many years, Velachery lake sports a cleaner look and attracts birds

Velachery lake restoration attracts birds, residents push for groundwater recharge, sewage treatment plant, and encroachment clearance.

After many years, the Velachery lake, which used to be smothered under green mats of aquatic weeds, sports a cleaner look and is attracting birds this Northeast monsoon. While the lake’s restoration effort is expected to start by February, residents want it to be rejuvenated to promote groundwater recharge in the area.

Spread over nearly 107 ha, the lake has shrunk in size over the decades and had grappled with various problems stemming from the rapid urbanisation of the locality. The lake now appears much cleaner due to various clean-up efforts. Large piles of hyacinth were removed from the lake a few months ago, and sewage outfalls were plugged. The waterbody has also attracted various bird species, said officials of the Water Resources Department (WRD). While inflow from the Raj Bhavan canal filled the lake, arresting sewage inflows led to birds frequenting the place, officials said.

Residents, however, wanted the lake to be maintained free of encroachments and sewage contamination. S. Kumararaja, vice-president, Federation of Velachery Residents’ Welfare Association, said, “Hyacinth cover has reduced after sewage outfalls were plugged. The lake appears cleaner after nearly five years.” There is a need to set up a dedicated sewage treatment plant and execute the National Green Tribunal’s directive to clear encroachments for comprehensive restoration, he added.

While commercial encroachments must be cleared, the government can consider an in situ rehabitation approach for residents to rejuvenate the lake without delay, residents said. It may be recalled that Jaganathapuram residents opposed a biometric survey for an eviction drive sometime ago. WRD officials said nearly 960 encroachments had been identified.

Meanwhile, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) plans to start work on rejuvenating the lake after the Northeast monsoon. Officials said the work to desilt the waterbody, which had a storage capacity of 21.19 mcft (million cubic feet), would start once the WRD issued a no objection certificate (NOC). The initiative will increase the storage capacity by 22%.

Pointing out that the lake will be improved along the lines of Coimbatore’s Periyakulam lake, an official said various other inclusive lakefront facilities had been planned at a cost of ₹16 crore. A promenade with viewing decks and a walkway will be developed, besides gardens and bird watching spaces. The project will be completed by the end of 2025.