T.N. Budget promises fresh push for Cooum, Adyar rivers restoration
The Tamil Nadu government has announced plans to restore the Cooum and Adyar rivers in Chennai, aiming to transform them into landmarks similar to international river projects. The budget also includes funding for a major circular water pipeline project to improve drinking water distribution by 2030.
Why it matters
Urban environmental restoration and water security are critical issues for major metropolitan areas like Chennai, impacting long-term sustainability.
For Chennai, no State budget seems complete without allocation for the city’s rivers restoration. The maiden budget of the TVK-led government also promises restoration of the Cooum and the Adyar rivers.
Presenting the budget in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Wednesday, Finance Minister N. Marie Wilson said the government would strive with the “utmost resolve to restore the Cooum and the Adyar to their natural state.”
Drawing parallels with Seoul’s Cheonggyecheon and Singapore’s Kallang, he said the government would invite global tenders and prepare detailed feasibility and project reports to transform both the rivers into Chennai’s defining landmarks. He outlined an ambitious goal of making the rivers clean for boat rides.
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