The outlet channel to release surplus water from Mookaneri Lake to Thirumanimutharu in Salem will be constructed at t ₹11.07 crore.
| Photo Credit: LAKSHMI NARAYANAN E
The Salem Corporation has started construction of an outlet channel for two km at ₹11.07 crore to release surplus water from Mookaneri lake.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had in 2021 announced that Mookaneri lake, spread over 104 acres with a storage capacity of 2,104.65 million litres, will be renovated. The government issued an order in June 2023 and Mr. Stalin inaugurated the lake’s rejuvenation and beautification work at ₹23 crore.
However, surplus water from the lake entered nearby areas such as Gokul Nagar and Mahalakshmi Nagar during rainy season and since there was no outlet channel, the rainwater mixed with sewage and stagnated in the residential neighbourhoods and agriculture lands.
Hence, the Salem Corporation prepared a project report to discharge the surplus water from the lake through an outlet channel and take it to Thirumanimutharu. The Municipal Administration Department gave its consent for the project, and on February 22, the Municipal Administration Minister K.N. Nehru and Tourism Department Minister R. Rajendran inaugurated the works at a function held at Mettur.
Salem Corporation officials said the channel will be constructed for two km via Gokul Nagar, Mahalakshmi Nagar, and a stream and reach Thirumanimutharu River at the Ponnammapet Junction. At present, the sewage flowing on the road will pass through the channel. During rain, the flood water will flow through the channel and reach the river. The construction of the outlet channel will be completed in six months, the officials added.
Published – March 16, 2025 05:45 pm IST