Madhavaram, Manali lakes to get boating facility by Pongal

The residents of Madhavaram, Manali, and nearby areas have a reason to rejoice - boathouses would be established on the Madhavaram lake and the adjacent Manali lake by Pongal. The Madhavaram lake, with a 66-acre water spread, and the Manali lake, with a water spread of 29 acres, have been cleaned and desilted by the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC). The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) has completed the feasibility study to introduce boating services, and has conducted trials over the past few days to determine whether the two waterbodies have enough depth to allow the operation of motorboats. Sources said the TTDC was planning to purchase motor boats, pedal boats, and paddle boats for use on the lakes. A source in the GCC said the desilting and cleaning of the Madhavaram lake began in June 2024, and the work was completed by September that year. During phase I of the project, which was implemented at a cost of ₹4.56 crore, the depth of the lake was increased, allowing more water storage. The earth removed during the desilting process was used to strengthen the banks. Vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides) has been planted along the banks of the lakes, as the roots of the plant will hold the soil. A 750 m-long walkway is ready, and work on extending it by another 1,650 m is under way. In two weeks, it would be possible to complete a walk around the lake in 2.3 km. Lighting, seating arrangements, toilets, parking facilities, and waiting areas are being created. The Manali lake, which receives the excess water from the Madhavaram lake, has a 1.8 km-long pedestrian walkway. The GCC said 95% of the work has been completed, with the laying of gravel pending. Other works Other works, including compound wall construction, platform formation, and improvements at the Manali lake are expected to cost ₹11.75 crore. Sluice gates have been installed at inlets to ensure that sewage does not enter the lakes during the dry season. Excess water from the Manali lake flows into the Puzhal surplus channel. Official sources said the Ernavur lake was also likely to get a boating facility. Water supply T.K. Shanmugham, president of the Federation of North Chennai Residents’ Welfare Associations, said the lakes in Manali and Madhavaram could be used for drinking water supply, as the two localities and their surroundings frequently faced water scarcity. Major canals such as the Buckingham Canal could be rejuvenated for boating purposes, he added. Published - December 26, 2025 04:30 am IST

Preview: ~419 words