Madhavaram Retteri lake set to have boating, tourism facilities in a few days

Madhavaram Retteri lake will soon offer boating and tourism facilities, enhancing recreation and generating revenue for maintenance.

In line with similar initiatives at various water bodies in the city, the lake at Madhavaram Retteri, which is being developed as a buffer source for the city’s drinking water, will also feature boating rides and other recreational facilities in a few days.

Spread over 400 acres, the water body is bifurcated by the GNT Road. Its prime location and easy access offers potential to boost tourism, similar to Chetpet and Paruthipattu lakes. The State government had recently approved the Water Resources Department (WRD) proposal to promote tourism.

According to sources, two motorboats and two floating jetties would be set up, and a cafeteria would be established in the island to attract visitors and also generate revenue through tickets and parking fee. A portion of the revenue collected would be spent towards maintenance of the water body, its infrastructure, and boat operations.

The new addition is expected to attract visitors, particularly during the festive season and weekends. The WRD has already carried out landscaping, works to create a park along the water body and has also added three islands.

The Department has completed most of the restoration works except the construction of a 300-metre-portion of the compound, that is pending due to court cases related to eviction process.

It may be recalled that a ₹43.19 crore project was undertaken to deepen and desilt the water body to enhance its storage capacity to 50 million cubic feet by providing regulators and walkways. Chennai Metrowater also has established infrastructure to supply about 10 million litres of drinking water a day from the lake.