Chennai: The ₹5.2 crore restoration of Thangal Lake in Sholinganallur has nearly doubled the waterbody’s storage capacity and strengthened the locality’s flood management. It has also created a recreational space for its residents.The project, which started in Jan 2025 and undertaken by the Greater Chennai Corporation with Infosys and NGO Siruthuli, increased the lake’s storage capacity from 158 million litres to 300 million litres after desilting and deepening works. Originally spread across 24.30acres, the lake was restored by removing 1,39,518 cubic metres of silt and increasing its depth from 1.5metres to 3.5metres. Following the restoration, the water spread area has expanded to 26.51acres.“What was earlier in dire need of restoration because of garbage dumping and neglect is now seeing good footfall,” said Satish Galley, a civic activist and resident. He added that he had long envisioned the lake being developed along the lines of Chetpet Lake. He had also written back in 2017 that an IT company along Old Mahabalipuram Road could sponsor the maintenance of the lake. “The waterbody, which once spread over nearly 75acres, has shrunk to about one-third of its original size. It really required urgent intervention,” he said.While welcoming the restoration, he said children’s play equipment installed at the site would need regular upkeep to prevent rusting and damage. The project includes strengthening of bunds, creation of bird islands, construction of water-regulating structures and surplus weirs, development of drainage channels, and installation of a walking track around the lake. Benches and solar-powered lights have also been made.As part of ecological enhancement measures, GCC plans to plant 1,800 native trees representing 50 species along the walking track and bird islands. A drip irrigation system has been installed to support the plantation drive.Officials said the restored waterbody would function as a rainwater harvesting structure, aid groundwater recharge, improve environmental management in the area and provide a public recreational space.Sholinganallur MLA P Saravanan said that the lake had earlier been in a dilapidated state and has now been revived. This was the first project inaugurated in his constituency. “Many other waterbody restoration initiatives and urban flood mitigation measures are in the pipeline,” he said.
