Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Friday announced that the 15 acre Chetpet lake owned by the Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department would be renovated at a cost of `42 crore. She added that the lake would be developed as a sports fishing-cum-eco park.
Making a suo motu statement in the State Assembly, the Chief Minister said entertainment aspects like fishing, water adventure sports, boating, open air theatres and a children’s park would be set up at the lake to find favours with young and old alike.
With a view to beautify the banks of the lake, rare species of trees would be planted. Besides, the multi-layer parking lot to be set up there would ease traffic in the area. A fish canteen would also be set up.
The Chief Minister also allocated Rs 75 crore for improving the Chennai Fishing Harbour at Kasimedu.
The harbour that has been functioning since 1984, can accommodate 575 fishing boats and was damaged in the 2004 tsunami. The CM recalled that her government had allocated Rs 16.24 crore to repair the fishing harbour in 2011. Over the years, the number of boats in the harbour had gone up to 1,395 and the amount of fish being handled at the harbour has also corresponding increased. In view of this, Jayalalithaa said Rs 75 crore would be allocated to upgrade the infrastructure at the harbour.