Quenching Chennai’s growing thirst

The Tamil Nadu government's ₹342.6-crore Mamallan drinking water reservoir project, aimed at augmenting Chennai's water supply, has drawn criticism from fishermen and residents who fear it will disrupt their livelihoods and the fragile brackish-water ecosystem. The project, to be constructed near Mamallapuram, a world heritage site, will benefit approximately 13 lakh people by harnessing surplus flows from the Manamathy group of tanks and Kovalam sub-basin. However, concerns have been raised about potential damage to fishing grounds and the impact on the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules. The project is expected to be completed in two years.