Restoration of Udaiyarpattikulam near Tirunelveli Junction began on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit: SHAIKMOHIDEEN A
TThe restoration of Udaiyarpattikulam in the heart of the city commenced on Wednesday evening with the Corporate Social Responsibility funds from Bosch India Foundation. It is hoped that this will create a place for the public to spend their evenings besides providing them the right ambience for walk in the morning and evening.Following repeated appeals from the public and Corporation Councillor Gogila Vaani of Ward 12, restoration of this sprawling waterbody along the Madurai Road has been taken-up. This almost neglected non-systemized tank gets water only during heavy downpour to improve groundwater table in this area. However, the wanton discharge of sewage by the residents and the commercial establishments around this waterbody has seriously polluted it.As the work commenced after District Collector R. Sukumar formally flagged-off the exercise on Wednesday evening, the earthmover involved in the work removed hundreds of empty liquor bottles from the dry waterbody.“The small pool of water stagnating in the northeastern part of the tank is just the sewage flowing from the commercial establishments close to Udaiyarpattikulam,” say traders having their shops nearby showing the flow of drainage.The public want the Corporation to check the influx of sewage from the marriage halls, residences and the hospitals nearby into Udaiyarpattikulam as it is getting renovated after several years.“It is the responsibility of Tirunelveli Corporation to conserve this waterbody. The Corporation, which is in deep slumber, should issue stern warning to those who dump waste and discharge sewage into Udaiyarpattikulam till now. Drinking water and power connection to the polluters’ properties around the tank should be snapped if they still dare to defy the warning. Only then, the restoration of Udaiyarpattikulam and this whopping expense will be meaningful,” said Dharmar from this area.Ms. Gogila Vaani said she had submitted appeals with the District Collector, Corporation administration and Bosch India Foundation seeking funds for creating walkers’ path dotted with concrete benches around the new-look waterbody to encourage the public to go for walk in the morning and evening and installation of bright ornamental lights.“Moreover, proper fencing should be done around the tank considering the safety of the visitors, especially children and the senior citizens. I’ve appealed to the Collector, Corporation administration and the officials of Bosch India Foundation to allocate funds for operating row and pedalled boats in the tank which will also be a very good exercise for the visitors, particularly the youngsters,” Ms. Gogila said.The Councillor has suggested to create at least three or four sand mounds inside the waterbody to attract fresh water birds.“Once Udaiyarpattikulam receives freshwater during upcoming northeast monsoon, we’ve planned to release fingerlings in the tank, which will create good prey base for the winged visitors. If we have to attract the birds by releasing the fingerlings, we need to create the sand mounds inside the tank here and there where we have plans to plant the trees before the arrival of monsoon,” Ms. Gogila said. Published - September 25, 2025 06:10 pm IST
