Work on yet another project to restore Cooum begins.

The city’s residents have yet again got their hopes up about the Cooum project, with the work being taken up in earnest, yet another time. Officials say work on the restoration of the Cooum is all set to gain momentum with the Greater Chennai Corporation deciding to start planting flowering trees on the banks and initiate the construction of a wall along the Cooum.

Recently, senior officials of the civic body and teams of engineers were seen inspecting the Cooum at various spots from Maduravoyal to Napier Bridge. The focus of the restoration is likely to be on removing debris and solid waste, developing walkways and an eco-park near College Road.

Last September, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa laid the foundation stone for the Cooum River Restoration Project, reviving a proposal announced by the earlier DMK government with a number of modifications. However, major components of the restoration work were delayed owing to the floods and the Assembly elections this year.

The civic body proposes to remove solid waste dumped on the banks, at an estimated cost of Rs. 7.13 crore.

The Corporation will also initiate measures to prevent solid waste pollution of the river at Rs. 100 crore. Boom barriers in the river to trap floating debris have been commissioned.

On Thursday, slum residents, who happened to see the inspection, said they were concerned about the possibility of relocation far away from the city. Many said the idea of requesting the government for in-situ development of slums was stronger after the elections. “Many candidates who campaigned here assured us that our homes would be redeveloped at the same site,” said S. Nagarajan, a resident of a slum along the Cooum.

Congress councillor P.V. Tamil Selvan said residents have been requesting the government to speed up the major infrastructure works to prevent pollution.

“Multi-storied buildings have been letting out sewage. The government should develop additional infrastructure to treat such water,” he added. Officials are yet to take action against commercial buildings and industries polluting the river.

The Corporation also has the responsibility of developing a fence along the river at Rs. 52.96 crore.


THE HINDU