Trichy: Trichy corporation on Friday commenced full-fledged desilting of Teppakulam tank near Main guard gate belonging to the Rockfort hillock temple complex but leased to the urban local body for 99 years from 1949. The desilting exercise, coming after 30 years, is likely to cost ₹25 lakh. Corporation has obtained the fund under the corporate social responsibility (CSR) of local traders including Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangangalin Peramaippu.
Details of the Desilting Drive
The tank spread for about 5.1 acre (20,984 sqm) is 3.5m deep and has a capacity to store 73.4 cubic metres of water. 'We will engage 10 heavy machinery and 20 trucks for the drive. Teppakulam was last desilted in 1995-96. It would be cleaned in 10 days,' a corporation official said.
Post-Cleaning Development Plans
Corporation commissioner L Madhubalan said that walking tracks, fencing, and stone benches with heritage style streetlights have been planned around the tank bunds after the work. Measures to prevent encroachments and littering will be ensured, he added.
Rainwater Harvesting and Green Space
Through technical expertise and a study conducted by Archtrust, Trichy, a group of city-based architects, the local body has planned to store surplus rainwater in the tank. Architects will soon submit a detailed project report for implementing unique design ideas to promote green and open public space for residents near the densely populated Rockfort vicinity.
This initiative is part of the corporation's efforts to rejuvenate water bodies in the city and enhance the urban environment. The desilting will not only increase the tank's storage capacity but also improve groundwater recharge in the surrounding areas.
