Officials await fund to restore Santhankadu lake

“The lake spreads across more than 70 acres and it needs more funds to be restored. We are yet to get sponsors for the restoration. We will create bunds, a walkway for the public and parking facility after the approval. Once the restoration is complete, it will be the first eco-park in North Chennai. We can add more facilities like a play area for children if we get more sponsors,” said Paul Thangadurai, Assistant Commissioner, Tiruvottiyur zonal office.

Zonal officials have submitted a proposal to restore the lake at an estimated cost of Rs 30 crore. They are also waiting for an NoC from the Public Works Department.

“In comparison to other lakes in the city, garbage dumping here is controlled. But sewage is being released into the lake from the nearby industries. So we will also set up a sewage treatment plant to stop sewage entering the lake,” Paul Thangadurai said.

Residents said that the lake has been encroached, thus shrinking the size of the waterbody. “People used to bathe in the lake before the industries came into the locality and started discharging sewage into it. Now, we are unable to use the water for even gardening. The civic body has to restore the waterbody soon,” said MT Rajan, a resident of Sathankadu.