Chennai: A three-hectare abandoned Waqf Board land in Virugambakkam, which was once muddy and littered with garbage causing floods, is now a bustling pond and a haven for birds.
Located on Vembuliamman Kovil Street on Arcot Road, this deserted land once flooded at least seven streets, including those near hospitals. Around 600 affected residents lodged complaints Greater Chennai Corporation to address flooding issues.
GCC asked the board to hand over the land. The community has now dug a five-foot-deep pond that holds 54,000 million liters of water. Deputy Commissioner for Works V Sivakrishnamurthy said they have taken possession of three such plots in Virugambakkam.
“In these neighborhoods, these ponds serve as local storage and reduce the immediate risk of flooding,” he said.
GCC now plans to install gates and create a seating area by leveling the pond dams.
An island of trees will also be created in the center to provide shelter for birds, while the walls will be raised to keep out intruders.
The residents have never asked GCC to connect the excess area of this pond to storm water drains that connect MGR canal near Nesapakkam, 1.5 km away. K Sureshkumar, a local resident, said GCC needs to build a 2 km drain that will divert water from the pond to Anna Main Road and connect it with the canal leading to Adyar river.
“This pond is capable of receiving up to 10 cm of rain. However, drains are required so that the water does not flood the streets if it overflows. In addition, the company has to remove at least 35 encroachments on the MGR canal and widen it by five feet. Nesapakkam,” he said.