The Water Resources Department (WRD) has intensified its efforts to remove encroachments along key areas in the city, clearing 171 illegal structures at Sathya Nagar North, behind the Saidapet Court. This move comes after several years of delay due to legal battles and stiff resistance from residents.According to WRD officials, the department has identified 3,000 more encroachments that will be cleared in a phased manner. The eviction drive is part of the Adyar River Restoration Project under the Chennai River Restoration Trust (CRRT), aimed at rehabilitating the river and preventing sewage contamination.
The Madras High Court has directed authorities to complete the encroachment clearance at Sathya Nagar by March 19, 2025. Some of the displaced residents have already been relocated to Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board (TNUHDB) tenements, while others have sought resettlement in Kotturpuram, where a TNUHDB housing project is underway.
Modular Sewage Treatment Plant Planned
As part of the restoration project, 2.2 acres of land have been reclaimed along the stretch. Officials have revealed plans to utilize the vacant space for constructing a modular sewage treatment plant, which will help collect and treat raw sewage before it enters the Adyar River.
WRD has also identified several families for resettlement in alternative locations, including Maligaipoo Nagar, Burma Colony near Jafferkhanpet, Annai Sathya Nagar, Surya Nagar near Kotturpuram, Thedeer Nagar, and Anakaputhur.
With the eviction drive gaining momentum, authorities aim to restore water bodies and prevent further encroachment, ensuring a long-term solution to Chennai’s urban flooding and environmental degradation.