Defunct Melamadai oorani being revived by NGO and private firm

MADURAI: The Melamadai Oorani in the city limits is being given a facelift as part of the CSR (corporate social responsibility) activity of a private firm and an NGO. The tank is expected to be rejuvenated in 15 days’ time.
Spread over an area of about 1,800sqm, the obscure waterbody lost prominence about three decades ago, when locals stopped depending on it, and concrete structures started mushrooming all around it.It fell into a state of neglect and was filled with sewage and garbage. Its main water source a channel connecting it with the nearby Vandiyur tank was disconnected when the road was laid over it and the tank, no longer received the flood waters of Vaigai.
Recently, corporation commissioner S Visakan urged private firms to come forward to rejuvenate 34 waterbodies within its limits.
The Centre for Urban Water Resource (CURE) of Dhan Foundation with help from HCL Foundation came forward to undertake work on the Melamadai oorani at a cost of about Rs 1 lakh. Sources from CURE said that they had visited the site when members of a women’s self-help group, the Melamadai Oorani Kalanjiyam Paathukaapu Nala Sangam, urged to help them rejuvenate the tank.
The tank contains water to about 1.5m, which is predominantly slurry. The SHG members told the CURE that the tank had two springs on its floor through which the water flowed. They urged the rejuvenators to identify these two springs and mark the spot with a small concrete structure and assured to take care in creating awareness among the residents and keeping the tank clean.
V Lakshmi, a SHG member said that they would ensure that they maintain this tank once it is redone.