The Greater Chennai Corporation has approved the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority’s (CMDA) plan to build two new sponge parks—one at Elango Nagar playground in Padi and another at Thoraipakkam Park. These parks, costing ₹76.38 lakh, aim to prevent floods and boost groundwater levelsSponge parks function like natural water reservoirs. They collect excess rainwater into central pond-like areas and let it seep into the ground. When the ground is full, overflow is released into nearby storm drains
This move is part of a larger initiative to combat flooding across Chennai. The Assembly had approved seven parks at a total cost of ₹88 crore. The Corporation will also use its own funds to build more such parks citywide