Corporation’s drive to restore waterbodies in city takes off

In Tamil Nadu, CII-SR has taken up the restoration of 31 waterbodies spread across districts of Chennai, Thiruvallur and Kanchipuram. Within the city limits, the waterbodies identified for rejuvenation with the support of the GMMCO are 0.75-acre KarumachavadiKulam in Karapakkam (Zone 15), 0.98-acre Rettakuttai (Zone 14) and 0.75-acre Uthukalam (Zone 14). 

The restoration of the above waterbodies began officially on Wednesday, with a ceremony at Rettakuttai pond, Puzhuthivakkam. The official ceremony was presided by H Jayaram, Co-Chairman, Sustainability Sub-Committee, CII-SE and the Managing Director and CEO of GMMCO Ltd, along with representation by officials from the district administration. 

The Greater Chennai Corporation has been exploring the idea of partnering with the city’s industrial network, to divert corporate social responsibility (CSR) funding towards the restoration of 206 waterbodies under the civic body’s jurisdiction. 

Last month, the Corporation signed an MoU with Rotary Club of Madras for the restoration of PudhucheryKeni at a cost of Rs 2.12 crore and Rotary Club of Madras East for the revival of OdaikeniKulam at Rs 52 lakhs. 

Both the ponds are located in Sholinganallur. Corporation sources have revealed that the civic body has drafted a framework, to enable speedy approvals of requests for waterbody restoration by corporate entities. 

The framework stipulates the commencement of the restoration work seven days from the signing of agreement and the restoration should be completed within three months. As of now, there have been no provisions for maintenance of these waterbodies by the private entity. 

The Corporation has already started the eco-restoration of 32 ponds in North Chennai regions of Manali and Madhavaram. Additionally, 24 waterbodies have been identified by the civic body for future restoration and preparation of detailed project report is underway.