The Hindu      28.08.2014     

Rs. 87-crore plan to revive Kodai lake

Renovation of the Kodaikanal Lake at a cost of Rs. 87. 96 crore was among the development projects announced by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Wednesday. The projects, costing Rs. 145 crore, covered the municipalities of Kumbakonam and Karur.

In a statement, she said the lake renovation project would include removal of silt, hyacinth and water plants; laying stormwater drains in and around the lake; solid and liquid waste management; arrangements for car parking; gardening; and road improvements. The boat house would also beautified.

In Kumbakonam, which will host the Mahamaham festival in February 2016, a host of projects, costing Rs. 43.78 crore, would be taken up. Among them were a Rs. 11.17-crore solid waste management project; road works costing Rs. 10.76 crore; a Rs. 8-crore bridge across the Melacauvery; water supply works for Rs. 2.44 crore and improvement of toilets at a cost of Rs. 80 lakh.

In Karur, a subway in the Kualthupalayam-Erode-Karur rail section and another in the Tiruchi-Karur-Dindigul section of North Pasupathipalayam would be constructed by the Railways and the municipality.

Ms. Jayalalithaa gave an account of various projects implemented in the last three years in the three municipalities. Bids would soon be floated for an underground sewer project, costing Rs. 140 crore, in Kodaikanal. Preparatory work was under way for the Rs.43.29-crore Lower Gundar drinking water supply project in the hill town.

Besides, a total of 132 works, costing Rs. 27.31 crore, was taken up, and most of them were completed. In Kumbakonam, 234 works had been carried out at a cost of Rs. 35.44 crore.

It includes removal of silt, hyacinth, laying stormwater drains around the lake and putting in place waste management plan