₹31.3 crore KfW fund for Kottapattu tank revival

Trichy: Trichy Corporation has secured ₹31.3 crore from German development bank KfW to restore and redevelop Kottapattu Periyakulam near the airport as the city's first climate-resilient waterbody.Spread across 47.5 acres along the Trichy–Pudukottai highway, the tank will be desilted, its bunds strengthened and sewage inflow prevented. Inlet and outlet sluices will be renovated to restore connectivity with the interconnected Sempattu and Mavadikulam tanks and improve groundwater recharge. The project also seeks to prevent flooding in nearby residential areas during the monsoon. Historical records show the tank originally spanned 75.1 acres but shrank over time due to various activities. It is fed by Cauvery water through the New Kattalai high-level canal from Mayanur, forming part of a three-tank system, though several supply channels and outlets are now obstructed. About 1.2 lakh cubic metres of silt will be removed to enhance storage capacity. The project includes development of a 5.1-acre public park, walkway, viewing deck, selfie point and floating boat jetty, along with expanded green cover and installation of solar lighting to reduce emissions. Around 26,000 sq m in the core area will be developed as open green space with buffer vegetation. The buffer zone, covering nearly 2.1 sq km including parts of JK Nagar, will see sewage diversion and treatment of runoff entering the tank. A ward-level lake user committee will be formed to involve residents in maintaining the waterbody. "The project will prevent flooding caused by bund breaches during monsoon and ensure holistic development for improved water management and recreational use," said corporation commissioner L Madhubalan. The corporation has earmarked ₹2.3 crore for five years of operation and maintenance and has floated tenders to commence work. A ward-level lake users' committee will also be constituted to involve residents in managing and maintaining the waterbody. Trichy's First Climate-Resilient Waterbody Total area: 47.5 acres Maximum water spread: 42 acres Storage capacity: 371.7 million litres Bund length: 1.8 km Water sources New Kattalai High-Level Canal (Cauvery-fed) Rainwater from a 2.1 sq km catchment area Water spread variation Highest: 40.7 acres (Nov 2023) Lowest: 3.1 acres (April 2019) Project cost Redevelopment: ₹31.3 crore Operation & Maintenance (5 years): ₹2.3 crore Total Outlay: ₹33.6 crore Proposed facilities Floating boat jetty 5-acre public park 1.8-km walking track (5m wide) 3 viewing decks 1 selfie deck Solar lighting Plantation of 45 native tree species Key objectives Stop sewage inflow Strengthen bunds and desilt tank Increase storage and groundwater recharge Restore interlinking with major tanks Develop eco-friendly recreational space Viewing deck: 3 Selfie deck: 1 Solar lights and 45 native trees Key objectives Preventing sewage inflow into the tank Strengthening bund and desilting tank Improving storage potential and groundwater recharge Interlinking major tanks Providing recreational amenities MSID:: 128560335 413 |