What is the Arafath Lake Restoration Project?

The Arafath Lake, a major groundwater source in Thirumullaivoyal, is set to undergo a ₹2 crore restoration project to transform it into an eco-park with recreational facilities like children's play areas and open-air gyms.

How long have residents been advocating for the Arafath Lake restoration?

Residents and citizen groups have been struggling for nearly a decade to get the Arafath Lake restored, and their efforts have finally paid off with the launch of the ₹2 crore project.

What are the key features of the Arafath Lake Restoration Project?

The project aims to rejuvenate the 26.40-acre lake by desilting, strengthening the bund, and creating a 2.9-km-long promenade. Future phases will add recreational facilities like play areas, gyms, and libraries to turn it into an eco-park.

Home / Environment / Decade-Long Struggle Leads to ₹2 Crore Arafath Lake Restoration

Decade-Long Struggle Leads to ₹2 Crore Arafath Lake Restoration

13 Nov

•

Summary

Arafath Lake, a major groundwater source, set for restoration
Project to transform lake into eco-park like Paruthipattu lake
Civic body drawing funds from various sources for the project

Decade-Long Struggle Leads to ₹2 Crore Arafath Lake Restoration

On November 13, 2025, the Avadi Municipal Corporation announced the launch of a ₹2 crore restoration project for the Arafath Lake, a major groundwater source for Thirumullaivoyal. This comes after nearly a decade-long struggle by local residents and citizen groups to revive the 26.40-acre lake.

The lake, which is part of the chain of waterbodies on Chennai's western fringes, has long been plagued by issues like sewage pollution and solid waste dumping. In a bid to transform it into an eco-park similar to the Paruthipattu lake, the civic body is drawing funds from various sources, including MP and MLA Local Area Development funds, Corporate Environment Responsibility Fund, and its own special fund.

The first phase of the project will prioritize works like desilting, bund strengthening, and the creation of a 2.9-km-long promenade. The aim is to rejuvenate the lake as a source of groundwater recharge and a flood buffer space. Authorities also plan to ensure the functioning of a nearby sewage treatment plant and plug illegal sewage outlets to address the lake's pollution challenges.