Work to construct two boat jetties in a rejuvenated irrigation tank, which is maintained by District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), at Edapalayam village on the outskirts of Tiruvannamalai town has commenced.
Officials of the Department of Tourism, which executes the multi-crore work, said that the construction of boat jetties is aimed to promote eco-tourism activities near the temple town. It will also act as a recreational facility for local residents and devotees of Arunachaleshwar temple. “A full-fledged boating facility will be created in the lake to promote tourism activities in the region. The entire work will be completed before the northeast monsoon,” S. Karthik, Tourism Officer (Tiruvannamalai), told The Hindu.
Funded under the Special Grant Fund 2025-26, the boating facility will be built at a cost of ₹2.62 crore. Two boat jetties will be built in the lake, which is four metres in depth. A variety of boats, including speed boats, pedal boats, and row boats will be introduced. Each speed boat can accommodate around 10 persons. A nominal fee on an hourly basis will be levied. The facility will be open between 8 a.m and 8 p.m on all days.
Spread over 78 acres, the rejuvenation of the tank, which has a total capacity of 38 mcft of water, was done under the Rehabilitation and Restoration of Lakes scheme 2024-25. Existing inlets in the tank were revamped for free flow of rainwater from storm water drains of the town and Girivalam path. “The new facility will also help boost the local economy as traders can set up shops near the tank. Adequate safety measures should be taken to run the facility,” said K. Ramu, a resident.
A tiled walkers’ path was also laid on the bund of the tank. Of the total 6.6-metre-width of the bund, tiled footpaths were laid to a width of three metres to ensure its stability.
DRDA officials said that work to construct a small island at the centre of the tank to promote local tourism, especially attracting pilgrims to the facility, is also under way. The island and bund will also have native plants to draw migratory birds.
Saplings will be procured free of cost from the Department of Horticulture and farmers. A small bridge, which will be around 60 metres long, will connect the island with the bund of the tank for visitors. A restaurant will be set up by the Tourism Department for visitors on the island.