30 more waterbodies identified for restoration

An official from Chennai Corporation said that residents brought their attention to these water bodies which have been lying neglected for years.

“We have sought land documents of the identified ponds and tanks from the Revenue Department. This will ascertain whether the identified land is recorded as a water body or not,” said the official, pointing out that the Corporation can take up work only on areas that are designated as water bodies in the records.

Meanwhile, the civic body has written to the State Government requesting Rs 50 crore to restore 104 water bodies. “Of the 210 water bodies proposed, works on 106 water bodies are under way with the funds from state government and Smart City Mission. Corporate companies and NGOs are reviving some tanks and ponds with their own funds. So far, about 50 water bodies have been restored,” another official said.

He added that the money requested from the government would also be utilised to restore newly identified water bodies.