Clearing of encroachments by WRD along Adyar River in Chennai!!
Don`t get surprised regarding the absence of encroachments if you happen to pass through Sathya Nagar North along the Adyar River!!
The WRD or Water Resources Department has cleared encroachments (after several years) in the above said locality in Chennai. It is now said that WRD has identified 3000 more encroachments that would be cleared in a phased manner.
The encroachment clearing activity began about 5 years back here but was delayed due to stiff resistance from the residents and court cases etc. Recently, nearly 171 encroachments at Sathya Nagar North behind the Saidapet court were cleared. This was mentioned by some officials belonging to WRD.
It is worth noting that some of the residents have been relocated to the tenements of TNUHDB or Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board while other residents have sought resettlement in Kotturpuram. It is known that in Kotturpuram TNUHDB project is underway.
As a part of Adyar River restoration project under the Chennai River Restoration Trust or CRRT, the resettlement efforts and eviction drive has been carried out. Information gathered is that the Madras High Court has directed the departments to clear encroachments at Sathya Nagar by 19th of March 2025.
Construction of modular sewage treatment plant:
Nearly 2.2 acres of land has been retrieved along the stretch and this was according to some officials. They have hinted that the vacant lands would be used to construct a modular sewage treatment plant to collect and treat raw sewage that has entered into the river.
Pont to be noted is that WRD has identified several families to be relocated in places like Maligaipoo Nagar, Burma Colony near Jafferkhanpet, Annai Sathya Nagar, Surya Nagar near Kotturpuram, Thedeer Nagar and Anakaputhur.
For the purpose of encroachments clearing, a total of 10347 encroachments have been enumerated and nearly half of them have been removed till now. It was pointed out by experts that the eviction drive would take place periodically instead of waiting for the courts order. It is learnt that a detailed project report or DPR is being prepared for the Adyar River Restoration and Beautification Project.
It must be noted that on 14th March, the budget for 2025-26 was presented by the Finance minister Mr. Thangam Thenarasu. He had mentioned that the project would be taken up at a cost of R 1500 cr and the first phase would give importance to works between Saidapet and Thiru. VI. Ka. Bridge.
