12 Lakes In Chennai Set For Revitalisation Under New CMDA Initiative

The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) is launching an initiative to revive 12 crucial water bodies in the city.

The lakes earmarked for revival include some of Chennai's most iconic water bodies — Perumbakkam, Perungudi, Velachery and Puzhal — will undergo significant transformation over the next two years.

The CMDA has outlined a comprehensive roadmap to rejuvenate, fortify, and beautify these lakes while also creating spaces for community activities.

Initially, the CMDA had announced plans to develop 10 lakes at Perumbakkam, Retteri, Mudichur, Kolathur, Sembakkam, Ayanambakkam, Velachery, Adambakkam, Puzhal and Madambakkam with an investment of Rs 120 crore. The plan now includes Perungudi and Porur lakes.

The objective is to preserve these lakes as public spaces and prevent future encroachments. A special purpose vehicle will be established to implement the project.

As part of the roadmap, the CMDA has created a detailed database for each lake, documenting issues faced by the water body, history of encroachment, its characteristics, and potential improvements and redevelopment strategies.

“Urban planning has often been seen as the concretisation of land, replacing blue spaces with grey. However, this perception overlooks its multi-faceted nature. A significant aspect of urban planning involves creating blue-green spaces,” said Anshul Mishra, member secretary of CMDA, reports Times Of India.

“By prioritising the creation and maintenance of blue-green spaces, urban planning can lead to more sustainable and liveable cities. This approach not only addresses environmental challenges but also fosters a harmonious relationship between urban development and nature,” he added.

The water resources department will focus on removing encroachments, strengthening bunds, and constructing surplus drains. Metrowater will address illegal sewage connections.

Additionally, the CMDA is preparing a flood master plan to augment lake capacity based on flood risk assessments. Input from local residents has also been incorporated, creating unique development themes for each lake.

For instance, Perumbakkam lake is envisioned as a community lakefront and bird interpretation point, with plans to enhance biodiversity and create habitats for birds, butterflies, and dragonflies.

As the CMDA spearheads this transformative endeavour, Chennai's residents eagerly await the revival of these lakes, which are not only essential for the city's ecological health but also integral to its social and cultural fabric.