Restoring neighbourhood pond in five easy steps

The Corporation’s goal is to restore all the 210 water bodies under its jurisdiction.

“Almost 100 have been taken up for restoration with funds from Corporation, Chennai Smart City Limited (CSCL) and CSR before the monsoon. We need more participation from public and corporates to restore and ensure continued maintenance. We have simplified MoU and processes for this and a few additional proposals are being considered. We are getting help from NGOs to engage citizens in this restoration process,” said Raj Cherubal, CEO of CSCL.

According to Corporation’s estimates, after restoration, these hundred waterbodies covering an area of 255 acres can store 4 TMC of water during the monsoons. “These rejuvenated waterbodies will also increase ground water level, ensure water security and prevent further encroachment,” said M Govinda Rao, Deputy Commissioner (Works).

So, how can you adopt your neighbourhood waterbody and revive it? To begin with, check out the Chennai Water Portal and identify the waterbody you want to restore and contact the Chennai Smart City team to work out the details. Then, send a letter of intent to the Deputy Commissioner (Works), to initiate the process of signing an MoU, following which work must commence and conclude within the time-frame, supervised by the empanelled technical NGO.

PROTECT PONDS

STEP 1: Visit the Chennai Water Portal <chennaiwaterportal.org> and identify an available waterbody. Contact Chennai Smart City <ceo@cscl.co.in> to work out the details of the restoration along with technical NGOs and GCC engineers

STEP 2: Next, send a Letter of Intent addressed to the DC (Works), Greater Chennai Corporation to initiate the process of signing an MoU for the restoration

STEP 3: After the MoU, work must commence and conclude within the time-frame stipulated. The work on the ground will be managed by empanelled technical NGOs or an NGO approved by GCC.

STEP 4: Regular inspections will be carried out by GCC engineers, Smart City officials and others

STEP 5: When the work has been completed, stakeholders in the area will be identified who can assist in monitoring the condition of the waterbody/ waterbodies along with the installation of sensors in and around its catchment by Chennai Smart City Limited.