Over 50 Groups Petition Chief Minister to Scrap Mamallan Reservoir Project

More than 50 organisations, including residents welfare associations from the Old Mahabalipuram Road corridor, and over 1,100 residents have submitted a petition to Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay demanding the cancellation of the proposed Mamallan reservoir project over concerns of ecological damage and heightened flood risks.

Residents along the corridor expressed strong opposition to being portrayed as beneficiaries of the project. They stated that the proposed reservoir threatens to encroach upon the Kovalam-Nemmeli salt marsh, which serves as a critical habitat for more than 200 resident and migratory bird species, while also endangering local livelihoods and biodiversity.

Community representatives raised alarms about the hydrological impact on surrounding areas. Harsha Koda, co-founder of the Federation of OMR Residents' Associations, noted that residential areas along the corridor are positioned between the Pallikaranai marsh and the Nemmeli wetlands. Activists warned that altering the natural drainage catchments of Pallikaranai and Kovalam could increase rainwater flooding in neighbourhoods such as Sholinganallur, Perumbakkam, Navalur, Siruseri, and Thazhambur, while exposing Thaiyur and Padur to seawater flooding.

Opponents also pointed out that the project moved forward without adequate scientific feasibility studies or public consultation. M. Balakrishnan of the Tansi Nagar Welfare Association noted that public opposition was previously voiced through artworks and placards during a March for Marshland rally held at Besant Nagar.

Environmental groups, including the Chennai Wetlands Action Collective, urged the state government to prioritize rooftop rainwater harvesting and the restoration of existing water bodies rather than constructing new reservoirs on wetlands.

However, some local voices have supported the initiative. Satish Gallay, an activist from the corridor, argued that creating a reservoir is crucial to addressing Chennai's long-term drinking water scarcity.

A Water Resources Department official stated that the project is being assessed primarily for the city's future drinking water security. The official added that concerns regarding wetlands, flood management, and ecological impacts will be evaluated, and the project will proceed only after completing the required technical, environmental, and hydrological assessments.