The Hindu 10.12.2010
Velachery lake to be developed into tourist spot
Staff Reporter
|
Facilities for boating to be launched at a cost of Rs. 5 crore |
Beautification:Mayor M.Subramanian discusses the blueprint of the
proposed facilities at Velachery lake with Chennai Corporation officials
on Thursday.
CHENNAI: The Chennai Corporation will develop the Velachery lake into
a tourist attraction. Facilities for boating in the existing 49 acres
of the waterbody would be launched by the civic body. Another six acre
of the lake area is under encroachment.
Inspecting the lake on Thursday, Mayor M. Subramanian said “The
boating facilities will be developed at a total cost of Rs.5 crore. The
area will soon become one of the preferred tourist destinations in the
city.”
A 750-metre-long tiled walkway would be constructed along a side of
the lake. Landscaping with park benches would also be done on the sides
of the lake. A two-metre-wide stretch along the lake would be earmarked
for the purpose.
In order to avoid reduction in the area of the lake, floating decks
would be constructed with pile foundation without filling the lake.
The Corporation would also take measures to prevent sewer discharge
in the lake and reduce pollution of water, he said. Chennai Metrowater
would construct a new pumping station at an estimated cost of Rs.2 crore
for this purpose. Many illegal sewer discharge points have been
identified along the Raj Bhavan canal which discharges water in the
lake.
Parking area was initially planned to be developed by filling a
portion of the lake. But the civic body is planning to get parking lots
in nearby areas without filling the water body.
A piece of land nearby belonging to the Tamil Nadu Housing Board has
been found to be suitable for constructing parking lot for the vehicles
of visitors to the lake.
