T’puram: The district tourism promotion council (DTPC) is preparing a comprehensive Rs 25-crore restoration project that proposes desilting the Akkulam lake, removing water hyacinth and accumulated waste, and preventing polluted water from city canals from flowing into the waterbody.The detailed project report (DPR), which is in the final stages, will soon be submitted to the Union tourism ministry for funding. The project is proposed to be implemented jointly by Kerala Irrigation Infrastructure Development Corporation (KIIDC) and Kerala Tourism Infrastructure Ltd (KTIL).Officials said the project seeks to tackle the root causes of pollution by identifying locations where the Amayizhanchan canal and other drains discharge into the Veli-Akkulam lake system. The plan also envisages cleaning the city canals in coordination with the Thiruvananthapuram corporation to reduce the inflow of sewage and solid waste into the lake.“The DPR is almost ready and discussions are in the final stage. It will be submitted to the Centre shortly for approval. The project is designed not only to clean the lake but also to prevent pollution from entering it in the future,” a senior DTPC official said.As part of the restoration, the accumulated water hyacinth, locally known as kulavazha, will be removed and processed into value-added products and organic manure. Authorities believe the initiative will reduce the recurring weed menace while promoting sustainable waste management.The proposal also includes measures to conserve the lake’s biodiversity and check biological invasion. Once the restoration is completed, boating services at Akkulam Tourist Village, which were suspended following the deterioration of the lake’s condition, are expected to resume.Besides environmental restoration, the project aims to enhance tourism infrastructure by developing cycling tracks, pedestrian walkways, landscaped gardens, seating areas, ornamental plantations, an open gym and a snack bar for visitors.“Our objective is to transform Akkulam into a clean and sustainable tourism destination while restoring its ecological health. The project combines environmental conservation with improved public amenities,” the official said.An earlier proposal to rejuvenate Akkulam Lake under KIIFB had progressed through the tender stage but failed to take off owing to the state’s financial constraints. Tourism officials are hopeful that central funding will help implement the long-pending restoration plan and improve the condition of one of Thiruvananthapuram’s most prominent urban waterbodies.
