The Hindu            12.12.2013 

Residents, volunteers pitch in to clean up Tank

While social organisations and clubs have offered donations to foot the cleaning and fencing expenses, the voluntary organisations have come forward to execute the work.

When contacted, Vyapuri Tank Beautification Movement organiser K. Periasamy said, to begin with, volunteers would clean the entire eastern part of the tank – the most polluted area between the Palani central bus stand and the overbridge.

“Then, we will desilt the entire tank to improve its storage capacity. Mookanoorani Tank model in Salem would be adopted in beautifying Vyapuri Tank.” The silt removed from the tank bed would not be taken out of the tank and instead utilised to strengthen the bunds and create small islands inside the tank to grow trees as these isles would act as haven for birds. Later, the entire area would be fenced and made a protected zone, he added.

The Palani Municipality has agreed to divert sewage water through separate pipeline to protect the tank from pollution and also assist in removing accumulated silt. The Pollution Control Board has assured to erect metal fencing to protect the tank zone. The PWD would prepare an estimate for silt removal and revenue officials will guide and supervise the execution.

Youth volunteers from Vivekanandhar Seva Trust will execute the work.

An awareness will also be created among people, street vendors and pilgrims to keep the tank bunds and adjoining areas clean and tidy and help volunteers make it a litter-free zone.

Sri Dhandayuthapanisway Temple Prasadha Sales Centre has offered Rs.1 lakh, Lions Club of Palani and Naikarapatti contributed Rs.50,000 each and Sri Dhandayuthapaniswamy Devotees Peravai gave Rs.10,000 for this noble cause at a special meeting presided over by Dindigul Municipal Commissioner A. Saravana Kumar on Tuesday.

Pollution Control Board Engineer Gunasekaran and members of various social and voluntary organisations participated.