Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Friday announced that the 15 acre
Chetpet lake owned by the Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department would be
renovated at a cost of `42 crore. She added that the lake would be
developed as a sports fishing-cum-eco park.

Making a suo motu
statement in the State Assembly, the Chief Minister said entertainment
aspects like fishing, water adventure sports, boating, open air theatres
and a children’s park would be set up at the lake to find favours with
young and old alike.

With a view to beautify the banks of the
lake, rare species of trees would be planted. Besides, the multi-layer
parking lot to be set up there would ease traffic in the area. A fish
canteen would also be set up.

The Chief Minister also allocated Rs 75 crore for improving the Chennai Fishing Harbour at Kasimedu.

The
harbour that has been functioning since 1984, can accommodate 575
fishing boats and was damaged in the 2004 tsunami. The CM recalled that
her government had allocated Rs 16.24 crore to repair the fishing
harbour in 2011. Over the years, the number of boats in the harbour had
gone up to 1,395  and the amount of fish being handled at the harbour
has also corresponding increased. In view of this, Jayalalithaa said Rs
75 crore would be allocated to upgrade the infrastructure at the
harbour.