Plan for new reservoir hits clearance hurdle
At a recent meeting, the state expert appraisal committee (SEAC) reviewed WRD's request to form a 4,375-acre reservoir in Kovalam sub-basin, located between ECR and Old Mahabalipuram Road. The 471-crore project aims to store up to 2.25 tmcft of water annually, helping to augment Chennai's drinking water supply.
However, SEAC clarified that since the project does not involve major river valley development, hydroelectric generation or any tunnelling or mining, it does not require environmental clearance under the usual norms. Instead, it falls within the scope of CRZ due to its proximity to the coast. The committee directed the WRD to place the proposal before the Coastal Zone Management Authority for further evaluation, as mandated under CRZ Notification, 2011.
The committee also raised concerns about untreated wastewater from nearby villages flowing into the reservoir via natural drains.
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