Chennai: The ₹3.5-crore rejuvenation of the pond at Anna Nagar’s Tower Park will be ready for users and joggers by Oct. As part of the project, a new footpath will be laid around the pond for walkers and joggers.Greater Chennai Corporation officials said the work began two months ago and that laying of stones along the pond slope, called stone pitching, would begin soon and be wrapped up by next month.The project, funded through MLA’s constituency development funds, includes strengthening the pond bund and constructing a retaining wall. The 500m footpath will be fenced with stainless steel, providing a dedicated stretch for walkers and joggers. “We will fence the pathway with stainless steel to ensure it is safe and convenient for walkers,” said a GCC official. Around 10,000 people visit the park daily. “There will also be an ecological improvement in the area that would attract birds,” an official said.The 15-acre Tower Park is one of the city’s few prominent green-blue spaces, MLA V K Ramkumar said. Over the years, silt accumulation, algal growth and plastic waste in the pond raised concerns among residents over water quality and odour, he said. “The rejuvenation work will improve the aesthetic value of the park and add to its ecological value. It will serve as a habitat for fish, birds and turtles. Those who litter the pond will be fined, and more bins will be set up,” he said.Residents, however, want officials to ensure that the work proceeds without delays and that other basic amenities in the park are addressed. “The work should not be stuck. The toilets in the park are in bad shape. It is a basic necessity, especially since many visitors and senior citizens use the park,” said a resident, V S Rao.
