Tiruchi water bodies languish in neglect despite revival efforts

Water hyacinth overruns Kollankulam tank in Edamalaipatti Pudur, Tiruchi.
| Photo Credit:
R. VENGADESH

Despite Tiruchi Corporation’s initiatives to restore and rejuvenate some of the city’s major water bodies, many of them continue to languish in neglect, drawing criticism from residents and environmental activists.

The Corporation had announced a ₹26.40-crore beautification project for Kollankulam, spread over 55 acres, under the Capital Grant Fund 2022–23. The project, mooted in 2023, was initially stalled due to legal hurdles. Following modifications to the original plan, it was proposed to set up a sewage treatment plant to prevent wastewater inflow into the lake. Although beautification work began in September, it has now been halted again owing to issues related to encroachments along the lake.

Similarly, Kottapattu Periyakulam was developed into a recreational space in 2023 with a walking track, seating areas, decorative plants, lighting, and metal fencing. The water body, however, is now largely neglected, with poor upkeep undermining the purpose of the project.

The Mavadikulam in Ponmalaipatti, sprawling across 142 acres, continues to have good storage capacity and has been used for irrigating agricultural fields for generations. However, weed growth and the continued discharge of wastewater into the tank have led to severe pollution. Despite restoration projects being aimed at enhancing groundwater recharge and providing recreational spaces, inadequate maintenance has diluted their impact.

In its 2025 Budget, the Corporation allocated ₹2 crore for redeveloping tanks at Kokkarasampettai and Ellakudi in Ward 39. Additionally, ₹15 crore was earmarked for renovating all water bodies and undertaking a tree plantation drive to conserve water. However, these initiatives are yet to materialise.

Several major water bodies, including Panjapur Lake, Kothamangalam’s big and small tanks, Pirattiyur, Punganur, Malaipatti, and Kallikudi tanks, which were identified for redevelopment to augment the drinking water supply and meet future demand, remain neglected.

“The Corporation makes big announcements and allocations during the Budget just for the sake of it, but there is little effort on the ground to actually renovate and conserve water bodies. Most tanks are neglected, used as garbage dumps, and sewage is directly discharged into them, making them unfit even for irrigation,” said environmental activist K.C. Neelamegam.

Corporation officials, however, acknowledge the challenges, citing resource constraints and technical hurdles.

According to Corporation Commissioner L. Madhubalan, encroachments along the banks of Kollankulam have been a major factor delaying progress. “Steps will be taken soon to relocate the houses situated on the banks, after which the redevelopment work will resume,” he said.