Chief Minister Vijay has directed officials to prepare a detailed action plan to restore Chennai’s Cooum and Adyar rivers, which have deteriorated to the point of carrying sewage. He has also ordered the formation of a committee headed by an IAS officer to steer the work.
The Cooum and Adyar are key landmarks of Chennai, and previous governments attempted clean-up and ecological restoration. For the Cooum, ₹604.77 crore was spent, including removal of encroachments, resettlement, installation of fencing and plantation along the banks.
However, officials said the efforts did not translate into sustained improvement, as illegal discharge of sewage could not be fully prevented and dumping of garbage continued. The Cooum still emits a foul smell, they noted.
For the Adyar, a project report was prepared at an estimated ₹17,000 crore, and works worth ₹4,778.26 crore were initiated before being halted for certain reasons. The issue is currently being addressed through the courts.
According to the Municipal Administration Department, the new plan aims to raise Chennai to international standards by ensuring continuous fresh water flow in these waterways and keeping them free of waste. Data is being compiled on locations where sewage is illegally released and the entities linked to it, and a comprehensive report is expected to be submitted to the Chief Minister within one to two months.
