Coimbatore corporation to restore pristine glory of Singanallur lake

COIMBATORE: The city corporation has launched work to restore Singanallur lake, which was a long-pending demand of residents and environmental activists.
Work such as strengthening of bund, removing water hyacinths and construction of sewage treatment plant (STP), to be carried out at a cost of 4.5 crore, is likely to be completed in six months.
The work started 20 days back, but was stopped within a few days due to the protest carried out by quarry owners, corporation commissioner M Prathap said.“Construction of the basement for the bund is going on now. The two canals connected to the lake now carry sewage water. We are planning to construct a 2-MLD STP in the canal that runs along Trichy Road.”
“It is not possible to construct STP in the other canal, which is on the Kallimadai side, due to space shortage. As much as 50 cents of land is required for the facility. We are planning to create a 1km canal to bring the water to the proposed STP,” he said.
Quality of the lake’s water will improve after the STPs become operational. “After hyacinths are removed, oxygen content in the water body will improve and it will promote a healthy aquatic ecosystem,” Prathap said.
The focus is on improving water quality in all lakes and the civic body is taking steps in the right direction.
“Works are under way to establish a sewage treatment plant at Krishnampathy lake and an additional plant at Valankulam. Our proposal to establish an STP at Muthanankulam has been sanctioned and work will commence soon,” the official added.