Minister lays foundation stone for restoration of Wellington lake in Cuddalore district

Work to restore the main canals of the Wellington lake, which is maintained by the Water Resources Department (WRD), in Thittakudi in Cuddalore district has commenced.

Accompanied by Collector Sibi Adhithya Senthil Kumar, Minister for Labour and Skill Development C.V. Ganesan, laid the foundation stone for the restoration of the lake at a cost of ₹130 crore.

Mr. Ganesan said the project was announced by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin during his visit to the flood-affected regions in Cuddalore district in 2024. Though the lake had been desilted several times in the past, this was the first time a complete restoration of the waterbody was being taken up.

A detailed geo-technical survey of the lake was conducted by the WRD recently and the lake’s embankments would be reconstructed. In addition, concrete walls would be constructed on both sides of the main canals of the lake, he said.

The Minister said that the drainage channel of the Wellington lake was constructed during 1913-23. The 114-metre-wide channel, which was now severely damaged and weakened, would be reconstructed and an additional bridge and drainage channel would also be built for discharging surplus water from the lake, he said.

The work on completion would benefit a total of 24,059 acres of cultivable land in 63 villages in Thittakudi and Vriddhachalam taluks, he added.