The Vellanur Chitteri, though named the small tank, serves a large purpose. Located on the western suburbs of Chennai city, This east to west axis lake is a mini neighborhood reservoir. It is said that in the late 70’s and early 80’s the Vellaur Chitteri had its own community of downstream farmers who used to draw resources from the lake and thereby maintain the lake. This meant that the Chitteri had a thriving society around it, which used-maintained and through village festivals even celebrated this lake.

Changing landscape and times meant that this western periphery of Chennai that once was rural transformed into suburban and now on express mode to becoming a city of its own kind. This changing population-landscape has had its impact on the Chitteri too. Vanishing farmlands, change in usage of water from the lake and exploitation of new dwellers meant that the lake became shallow and eventually also had garbage dumping into it. The undefined boundary meant that the lake was steadily shrinking. This is when Tiruvallur district administration-Caterpillar India and E.F.I, part of a collaboration, took on the task of reviving the lake.

Cleaning of garbage, removal of invasive vegetation, deepening of the lake, strengthening its embankments, creating percolation trenches, establishing nesting islands and fencing the exact boundary of the lake to prevent future encroachments have been completed.

The visible change and the impact in terms of stable ground water is all immediately realized. During the deluge of December 2023, the New Vellanur region did not suffer from abnormal flooding, owing to the restored Vellanur Chitteri, which now with its regulated flow and storage region did exactly what a lake should do.

The 135+ acres of farm lands that are downstream of the lake are still cultivating thanks to the perennial groundwater source from the restored lake

The embankment which is wider-taller is today an arterial pathway connecting New Vellanur to the Outer ring road, saving time and distance for the residents

Cleaner, larger lake is also home to Pond heron, Egrets, Kingfisher, Lapwings to name a few. 3 different kind of snakes, 2 different kind of frogs and 1 species of crab have been documented at the lake.

The Vellanur Chitteri is upstream of the mega Puzhal reservoir, it thereby is crucial in the system of tanks in Chennai necessary to store water and prevent flooding. With such intricate balance, the Vellanur Chitteri and its restoration is to serve a long-term purpose of coexistence

Chitteri, today with the lilies, birds, water, islands, bund and green pastures is a fenced paradise in the making amidst an expanding Chennai city.