In a major initiative towards environmental conservation and urban renewal, the Tamil Nadu Government has launched a comprehensive Adyar River Restoration Project under the new Chennai Rivers Restoration Trust and Conservation Limited (CRTCL). The ₹1,500 crore project aims to rejuvenate the Adyar River by preventing sewage discharge, restoring natural ecosystems, and removing encroachments along its banks.
To kickstart the initiative, the state has allocated ₹300 crore in the current financial year. A critical component of the plan involves resettling families living along the riverbank to enable restoration and ecological balance. Encroachments have severely hampered water flow and quality, endangering aquatic life and increasing flood risk.
As part of the resettlement process, 593 families living in areas such as Quaid-E-Millath Nagar, Thaai Mookambigai Nagar, Gandhi Nagar and MGR Nagar 3rd Main Road will be relocated to newly constructed, free housing units in Thailavaram, Keerapakkam, Semmencherry, and Navalur. Each home will be 390 sq. ft. in area and built at a cost of ₹17 lakh through the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board.
Similarly, families residing in high-risk zones like Jothi Ramalingam Nagar, Thideer Nagar, Jothi Ammal Nagar, Surya Nagar and Malligaipoo Nagar (Adyar) will also be provided with well-equipped 390 sq. ft. homes. In addition to housing, each family will receive a one-time relocation grant of ₹5,000 and an annual livelihood support of ₹30,000, along with a ₹2,500 electricity connection grant.
Further support includes schemes for the welfare of women, elderly, widows, persons with disabilities, and educational aid for children. The state’s actions align with High Court directives mandating eviction of encroachments for environmental restoration.
