The Hindu 04.11.2009

Encroachments in Adyar river to be removed today

Staff Reporter

CHENNAI: Encroachments on Keerai Thottam in the Adyar river at Saidapet will be removed on Wednesday. “There are about 42 grounds of “patta lands” on the riverbed and a team of officials would be visiting the area to ascertain the facts,” Mayor M. Subramanian said.

He was participating in a meeting on removal of encroachments from water courses, including the Adyar River and the Virugambakkam Canal, on Tuesday. Those having ‘pattas’ cultivate greens on the river bed. “During the monsoons, when the river gets freshwater, the gardens are washed away but later they get fresh sand to cultivate the greens. They claim that the patta was given to them under ryotwari classification,” he said.

The 42 grounds of garden lead to flooding in Chettytottam, Nerupumedu, Jothiammal Nagar, Jothi Thottam, Vinayagapuram, Rathna Thottam, Kothavalchavady TNSCB colony and Thideernagar.

“The work on the Alandur Road Causeway in Saidapet is expected to be completed soon. Once the encroachments are removed, the flow in the river would be good. Water will not stagnate and mosquitoes cannot breed,” Mr. Subramanian said.

Officials of the Chennai Corporation, Collectorate and Public Works Department took part in the meeting.