Thu Mar 20 18:47:45 UTC 2025: ## Adyar River Encroachments Cleared in Chennai; Major Restoration Project Underway
**Chennai, March 21, 2025** – The Chennai Water Resources Department (WRD) has successfully cleared 171 encroachments along the Adyar River in Sathya Nagar North, following a Madras High Court directive. This action, part of the ongoing Adyar River Restoration Project, has freed up approximately 2.2 acres of land. A modular sewage treatment plant is planned for this reclaimed area to improve water quality.
The clearance is a significant step in a larger effort to remove a total of 10,347 encroachments identified along the river. Approximately half of these have already been removed, recovering nearly 61,000 sq.m of encroached land. Relocation efforts have been underway, with some residents moved to existing tenements, while others await resettlement in upcoming housing projects. The WRD plans to clear the remaining 3,000 encroachments in phases.
The Adyar River Restoration and Beautification project, budgeted at ₹1,500 crore, is slated to begin with the stretch between Saidapet and Thiru.Vi.Ka. Bridge. Experts recommend regular, proactive encroachment removal to avoid future court interventions and ensure the project’s success.
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