Flood regulator to be installed at Sembakkam lake

Nature Conservancy, an NGO, along with Care Earth Trust and IIT Madras, are involved in the rejuvenation work of the 150-acre waterbody.

“In the past few years, the area was highly vulnerable to floods. This lake was not desilted for the past 40 years. Although several representations were made with the authorities concerned, no steps were taken to restore the lake. This is the first attempt made towards saving the dying waterbody,” said M Ravi, secretary of the Sarvamangalam Residents Welfare Association.

“Currently, the de-weeding work is underway in the waterbody and it will be completed before February 2019. The installation of the flood regulator will be taken up only after the cleaning work gets over,” said the Project Manager Nisha Priya of Nature Conservancy.

The total estimated cost of the project is Rs 90 lakh. The implementation agency, Care Earth Trust, is carrying out the works with the technical assistance of IIT Madras, and Nature Conservancy is the donor agency.

The eco-restoration of the lake includes de-weeding, dredging, lake deepening, strengthening of embankment and plantation of vegetation.

Before the onset of cleaning work, the surface of the waterbody was covered with hyacinth to about 70 per cent. The rejuvenation of the lake is expected to be completed before December 2019.