The Times of India 03.05.2013
Desilting work begins in Ukkadam
an attempt to enhance the water storage capacity of Singanallur lake and
Ukkadam Periakulam, two NGOs are carrying out desilting work at these
lakes. The permission for the work was obtained from the district
administration and city corporation and it is to be completed within the
next 30 days. Siruthuli and Residents Awareness Association of Coimbatore
(RAAC) are carrying out the desilting which officially began here on
Thursday morning. “The work is being carried out as part of rejuvenation
activities of city lakes,” said R Raveendran, Secretary, Residents
Awareness Association Coimbatore.
The permission
was granted on the basis of a proposal to enhance the total storage
capacity of both Ukkadam Periyakulam and the Singanallur lake and also
strengthen its bunds. The corporation entrusted with the responsibility
of maintaining the eight water bodies had earlier issued a No Objection
Certificate to the organisation back on August 24, 2012. Following this,
the proposal was forwarded to the State level Environmental Impact
Assessment Authority for further approval. tnnHowever, special
conditions have been issued from the state level committee
citing that the silt recovered from the lakes should be deposited along
the banks to be utilised for formation and strengthening of bunds. The
recovered silt is also not to be utilised for any commercial purposes.
“We will launch the program on Wednesday at 10am along the Ukkadam lake,” Raveendran added.