The work to widen the inlet channel of Puthur lake at Nedunkundram village panchayat falling under the Kattankulathur panchayat union in Chengalpattu district was inaugurated on Monday (August 17, 2026).

Rural Development and Water Resources Minister N. Anand inaugurated the work taken up by Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj under the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (VB-G RAM G), a rural employment and livelihood scheme.

A press release said steps are being taken to desilt and restore nearly 10,185 watercourses and irrigation canals and adjoining 809 lakes and ponds in rural areas, at a cost of ₹500 crore, before the onset of Northeast monsoon.

Desilting of waterbodies and channels would help improve surface and groundwater levels in rural areas and help prevent flooding of agricultural lands and residential areas during extreme weather events.

In Chengalpattu district, works have been sanctioned for 52 new ponds at a cost of ₹3.19 crore and 447 watercourses at a cost of ₹20.12 crore. Minister for Human Resources Management D.Sarathkumar, elected representatives, and senior officials from Chengalpattu district were also present.