The Pallikaranai marshland, a crucial natural asset for flood reduction in the southern parts of Chennai, is set to receive significant protection measures from the state Highways Department. In a strategic move to preserve this vital ecosystem, the department has proposed the construction of a high-level bridge from Kamatchi Memorial Hospital to Thoraipakkam along the Pallavaram-Thoraipakkam Radial Road.Highways Minister E.V. Velu announced that a detailed project report (DPR) for the bridge will be prepared at a cost of Rs 20 lakhs. The 200-feet Pallavaram-Thoraipakkam radial road currently intersects the marshland at Pallikaranai, necessitating measures to ensure the free flow of water and preserve the marshland’s ecological balance.
The Pallikaranai marshland spans 1206.59 hectares, with the Department of Forests managing 749 hectares. However, the remaining 457.59 hectares have been encroached upon by various public and private institutions, including the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), which utilizes 173.56 hectares as a dumping yard.
The proposed high-level bridge aims to mitigate these encroachments by allowing unobstructed water flow across the marshland, thereby enhancing its flood mitigation capabilities. Minister Velu emphasized the importance of this project for environmental conservation and urban flood management.
In addition to the bridge, the state Highways Department plans to construct two foot overbridges (FOBs) with escalators. These will be located at the Velachery railway station bus stop and near the Koyambedu junction on the Inner Ring Road (IRR). The total cost for these projects is estimated at Rs 35.80 crore.