Mamallan reservoir work temporarily paused to validate project design
Construction of the Mamallan reservoir in Chennai has been temporarily paused to allow for a design review and to account for recent rainfall. The Water Resources Department is working with experts to address environmental and livelihood concerns raised by the public.
Why it matters
The project is critical for Chennai's water security, but its delay highlights the challenges of balancing infrastructure development with environmental sustainability.
Amid reports that the work for the Mamallan reservoir, proposed as Chennai’s sixth drinking water source, has stopped, the Water Resources Department (WRD) said the work had been halted temporarily to review the project design and also due to rainfall at the site near Vada Nemmeli.
The WRD clarified that the project had not been dropped, and work would resume after a high-level committee, which was formed to review the project, submitted its report and recommendations, including on concerns raised about the reservoir project such as flooding and impact on fishermen’s livelihoods in the region, said sources.
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