Coimbatore: Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have accused the city corporation of reducing the water spread area of lakes in the name of smart city works. They have demanded the corporation to take necessary steps to increase the water spread area, instead of creating recreational spaces along the waterbodies. NGOs like Kovai Kulangal Padukaappu Amaipu, Siruthuli, Residents Awareness Association of Coimbatore, CUBE, Arulagam and Osai have petitioned chief minister M K Stalin and other officials in this regard on Saturday. Pointing out that smart city projects were being carried out at seven city lakes, the petition said the civic body was developing infrastructures along them for about 19.03km by reducing water spread area by at least 20 acres.