Residents in Southern Suburbs Advocate for Adyar River Management
Residents in Chennai’s southern suburbs, including Mudichur, Manimangalam, Somangalam, Varadarajapuram, Thiruneermalai, Pammal, and Anakaputhur, are urging the Greater Chennai Corporation to address issues related to flooding during the opening of the Chembarambakkam Lake floodgates. The weak bunds along the Adyar River, insufficient desilting of lakes, and the absence of check-dams have led to frequent submergence, causing hardships and financial distress.
The affected areas, comprising a population of over 20 lakh, face challenges due to poor desilting of lakes, especially around Mudichur and Varadarajapuram. Residents stress the need for strengthened river bunds, proper desilting of lakes, and well-maintained floodgates to mitigate flooding. The proposal for an eco-park to replace the Perungudi dump, bio-mining initiatives, and plans for an additional cut-and-cover drain linking Medavakkam Lake and Anai Eri are outlined as measures to address the concerns.
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority is involved in a ₹100 crore project for the restoration of several lakes, focusing on lake-front development and rejuvenation in Mudichur, Perumbakkam, Velachery, Sembakkam, Madambakkam, and Adambakkam.
The Water Resources Department is also preparing proposals to restore links between waterbodies and address urbanization-related challenges. Officials deny accusations of poor desilting, asserting the systematic execution of monsoon preparedness projects across waterways.
