CHENNAI: TN Minister for Municipal Administration and Water Supply KN Nehru on Wednesday inaugurated a series of development projects across the Madhavaram, Manali and Tiruvottiyur zones, amounting to a total cost of Rs 39.78 crore.
According to a Daily Thanthi report, the Minister inaugurated the Madhavaram Lake boating facility in ward-27 of the Madhavaram zone, developed at a cost of Rs 15.03 crore under the AMRUT 2.0 and Capital Fund schemes, and also took a boat ride. He later inaugurated the Manali Lake boating facility in ward-20 of the Manali zone, constructed at a cost of Rs 10.41 crore under the same schemes.
Subsequently, Nehru laid the foundation stone for a new bus terminus, to be built at a cost of Rs 4.75 crore under the Capital Fund scheme on Manali School Street in Ward-21. He also laid the foundation stone for a community hall, to be constructed at a cost of Rs 7.50 crore on the 80-feet road in Manali Pudhunagar, Ward-15.
Later, the Minister inaugurated an Animal Birth Control (ABC) centre at Sathangadu village in Tiruvottiyur.
In the Madhavaram zone, the restored Madhavaram Lake spans 2,67,540 sq m, with a circumference of 2,350 metres. Its water storage capacity has been increased from 4,57,488 cubic metres to 5,77,879 cubic metres. As part of the lake development works, facilities including weed removal, side walls, walkways, lawn pathways, drinking water supply, green cover through tree plantation, an entrance gate, toilets, food court, first-aid centre, waiting shed, retaining wall, parking facilities, children’s play equipment and electricity have been provided.
A total of 18 boats, including jet skis and motorboats, have been introduced at an additional cost of Rs 1.27 crore.
The Manali Lake, spread across 29 acres with a circumference of 1,787 metres, currently has a water storage capacity of 1.2 million cubic feet, and now features a newly established boating facility.
The proposed Manali bus terminus will be constructed on a 2,510 sq m plot, with a built-up area of 690 sq m, comprising ground, first and second floors. Facilities include a breastfeeding room, police room, driver and conductor rooms, bus bay, parking for 48 two-wheelers, public toilets, a waiting hall and commercial shops.
The community hall at Manali Pudhunagar will be built over 630 sq m, with parking facilities and toilets on the ground floor, a dining hall on the first floor, and a meeting hall, stage, and bride and groom rooms on the second floor.
At the newly inaugurated dog population control centre, stray dogs from the Tiruvottiyur area will be brought in for feeding, first aid, sterilisation, rabies vaccination, microchipping and observation for five to six days before being released back to their original locations.
Mayor R Priya, Chennai North MP Kalanidhi Veerasamy, MLAs S Sudarsanam (Madhavaram), Deputy Mayor M Mahesh kumar, Corporation Commissioner J Kumaragurubaran, senior officials, zonal committee chairpersons, councillors and officials participated in the events.