The widening of three important rivers like Adyar, Cooum and Kosasthalaiyar would be carried out by the WRD or water resources department soon. The main objective behind this would be to increase the carrying capacity of these rivers. It is known that heavy rains in the monsoon season have made many places in Chennai submerged in water.
Not only that, the WRD is also thinking about cancellation of patta for the lands along the river banks so that the families living there could be evicted. This was according to an official source.
The encroachments were already removed and the rivers were widened to prevent flooding in the monsoon season. This was done under the river restoration project. The intense rains in Chennai have led to many places getting flooded inspite of the huge efforts.
According to an officer belonging to WRD, to prevent flooding in Chennai in the future in the monsoon season, widening of the water bodies plus increasing the carrying capacity of the rivers would be carried out. Soon, the proposal would be submitted to the government for carrying out the project.
It was later revealed by the official that WRD is having plans to cancel the patta because of the issues they faced while many families that live on the river banks. In the past, the land was used for agriculture and they had patta for that and now buildings are constructed on the riverbanks. He added that the officials face issues while removing the encroachments near the water bodies due to the land deeds.