The eco-restoration of Cooum river, the polluted waterway running across the city, is all set to begin in earnest.

Addressing
the Assembly on Monday on the demands concerning Municipal
Administration and Water Supply, Municipal Administration Minister K.P.
Munusamy said that the Chennai Rivers Restoration Trust (CRRT) is set to
complete a detailed project report by November this year after which
work will be started. The stretch of the waterway between Paruthipattu
anicut near Avadi and the river mouth will be cleaned.

Besides
identifying projects to reduce pollution, the eco-restoration project
aims to explore possibility of navigation in the river. A coordinated
approach by various departments would be sought to reduce pollution in
the waterway and also plug the sewage outfalls and prevent dumping of
garbage.

Mangrove plantations will be set up in Cooum
estuary near Island grounds to minimise pollution and also revive
biological diversity in the waterway. There are also plans to create
river front development such as parks and walkways in urbanised
stretches.

An integrated eco-restoration plan has
been chalked out for the Adyar river too. The CRRT has invited
expression of interest from consultants to prepare an integrated plan
for Adyar river from its origin near Chembarambakkam reservoir to Thiru.
Vi. Ka bridge, for the third phase.

An eco park has
been created and 58 acres of the Adyar creek was restored in the first
phase. The eco-park houses an environmental education centre and nursery
for plants. Nearly 31,000 students have visited the eco-park, which
functions as a centre for environmental education.

In
the second phase, the restoration plan is further being expanded. The
scope of eco-park would be extended to 300 acres from eastern side of
Thiru. Vi. Ka. bridge to the river mouth and northern part of the creek
extending up to Santhome causeway. Studies are being carried out to get
statutory clearance from State coastal zone management authority. In
phase three, remaining stretch of the river would be covered under the
eco restoration plan.