Velachery Residents Raise Concerns Over Increased Flood Risk Due to Land Reclamation

Residents in Velachery, Chennai, have expressed alarm over land reclamation activities at the Kallukuttai lake, which is part of the Pallikaranai marshland, a Ramsar Site. The Public Works Department (PWD) has been filling the area with soil, reportedly for the development of Dr. Ambedkar Law University. This action has sparked concerns among locals about the increased risk of flooding in the area. On social media, residents have criticized the delay in intervention by government departments and civic agencies, including the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC).

S. Kumararaja, a resident of Velachery, highlighted that over 25 acres of the waterbody have been filled with soil, raising the flood risk in Velachery. He mentioned that complaints were made to the GCC weeks ago, and officials had assured them that the issue would be addressed. The reclamation work is taking place on the road connecting the Taramani MRTS road with the Velachery MRTS station, affecting wards 177 and 178.

Local groups, such as the Velachery Annai Indira Nagar Welfare Association and the Federation of Velachery Welfare and Green Velachery, have demanded that the State government halt the reclamation work. N. Mathavan, a disaster management expert formerly with the Chennai Corporation, warned that the ongoing work could lead to flooding in Velachery if not stopped. GCC officials have expressed willingness to restore the area into a proper waterbody, pending permission from the Directorate of Technical Education, which owns the land.