TN Budget 2025: Chennai to Get Sixth Reservoir Near Kelambakkam
Chennai will soon have its sixth major reservoir to address its growing water needs. The new reservoir will be constructed between Kelambakkam and Mamallapuram along East Coast Road (ECR) and Rajiv Gandhi Salai in Chengalpattu district.
Project Highlights:
- Storage Capacity: 1.7 tmcft (expanding to 2.25 tmcft when filled twice annually)
- Daily Water Supply: 170 million litres
- Project Cost: ₹350 crore
- Area Covered: 4,400 acres
- Bund Length: 20 km
- Land Usage: Government-owned and Tamil Nadu Salt Corporation lands (No private land acquisition required)
Existing Reservoirs & Budget Allocation
Chennai currently has five reservoirs in Red Hills, Chembarambakkam, Poondi, Cholavaram, and Thervoy Kandigai Kannankottai, with a total storage capacity of 11.7 tmcft. The Water Resources Department (WRD) has been allocated ₹9,460 crore in the TN Budget 2025-26.
The new Kelambakkam-Mamallapuram reservoir will help store floodwater that would otherwise drain into the sea, enhancing Chennai’s water security.
