Location: Chennai

Project Description:Adyar River is one of the important water bodies in Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu. Many streams which join Adyar River drain wastewater from industries and human habitations. Sewage and industrial effluents generated at different parts of Chennai city also get drained into the river. The settlements on the riverbank too dispose waste directly into the river.

The objective of this project is to improve the water quality in Adyar River and to restore it ecologically. The Government of Tamil Nadu set up ‘Adyar Poonga Trust (APT)’ to respond to the concerns caused by the present status of Adyar River and to ecologically restore the river, estuary, creek and the entire region and also to maintain it.  

Eco-restoration plan prepared by IL&FS Ecosmart focuses on two primary aspects (i) maintenance of channel integrity for flood evacuation and (ii) control on point and non-point sources of pollution and (iii) in-stream aeration for improving water quality to allow re-establishment of aquatic species. Towards these objectives the study recommends one time dredging of 0. 76 million cubic meters to achieve an average channel depth of -1 meter MSL. Detailed hydraulic calculations indicate that such dredging will enhance the flood carrying capacity above 1,400 cubic meters per second and eliminate the incidences of flood, except during exceptional rains.

To maintain the water quality, the Eco-restoration plan identifies measures to control non-point sources of pollution by way of treatment and diversion of municipal and industrial wastewaters and use of construction wetlands. In this context, the plan includes recommendation for provision of sanitation facilities and organized solid waste management to the economically weaker sections living along the river banks.

Near shore protection measures, development of prominent open spaces into interactive areas for people and development of selected measures for controlled access to estuary by the people are additional measures suggested in the plan. It is envisaged that increased interaction with people will help safeguard the banks of the estuary and develop public awareness towards Eco-restoration efforts.

The restoration plan also aims at making this as an interactive place and a hub of information and education to learn about the eco-system of the estuary and creek.

Services Offered

• Topographic and Bathymetric Study
• Hydrological Studies
• Hydrodynamic Modeling for estuarine region
• Water quality management for Adyar River and Estuary
• Flora and Fauna Mapping
• Eco-restoration Plan
• Shore protection works
• Landscape Plan for public spaces
• Socio-economic studies
• Sanitation and solid waste management in slums
• Design of buildings and interactive centres

Client: Government of Tamil Nadu

Project Status: Ongoing