Thread:🚨 Save Kosasthalaiyar: One-third of Chennai is facing a major flood risk as the Kosasthalaiyar River, which runs through North Chennai, is being completely neglected! Despite the Tamil Nadu government spending hundreds of crores on the Vada Chennai Valarchi Thittam, this 136-km river that originates in Andhra Pradesh and drains 127 sq. km of Chennai remains ignored. Key areas like Ambattur, Madhavaram, Anna Nagar (parts), Tondiarpet, Thiruvottiyur, Manali, and others are dangerously exposed.

While thousands of crores have been spent on restoring the Cooum and Adyar rivers running inside middle and upper income areas, Kosasthalaiyar, which affects some of the most vulnerable parts of the city, has seen zero restoration projects in over two decades. A spot check revealed a half-sunken dredging machine abandoned in its estuary, while yellow chemicals pollute the downstream, with over 30 industries contributing to the disaster. In Manali, more than 1,000 encroachments still exist near Sadayankuppam, where a bund-breach occurred last time.

It’s not just industries—Buckingham Canal is dumping massive amounts of sewage into Kosasthalaiyar. The river lacks revetment walls in most parts, and its surplus channel from Thamaraiakkam Dam through Cholavaram and Redhills is polluted near Mathur. The river faces the twin challenges of pollution and flooding, yet nothing has been done, even after last year’s disasters of leaks and floods.

Experts say that compared to Cooum and Adyar, Kosasthalaiyar can be revived with minimal work. Simple solutions like building sewage interceptors at Buckingham Canal and flood walls could make a difference. The area above Manali is free from major sewage and encroachments, making revival possible. Experts urge the Tamil Nadu government to redirect funds collected from polluting industries by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board to restore this critical river.

#RiverPollution #Kosasthalaiyar #FloodRisk #NorthChennai #Ennore #Manali #CycloneMichaung #RestoreKosasthalaiyar

(Rightside video: yellow chemicals released into the estuary in broad daylight. Fishermen say this is released in the afternoon time mostly but sometimes it’s 24 X 7)

(1/n) Pollution at Ennore Estuary (you can note the colour change in water) (2/n)

I want to be at a place where my parents don’t see the price tag when they go to a shop,says Poongodhai, daughter of an auto-driver, who came first among GCC schools scoring 578 in the class XII board exams.

Speaking in fluent English, Poongodhai of Perambur GCC school said she wants to pursue BCom and CA.

She lives in a 1 bhk rented house where she had to share a room with four others. She had to constantly struggle financially and space wise to coordinate and study at home, with her sister who is doing B.Pharm. She said apart from studying , she wants to ensure kids for her locality Kodungaiyur pursues higher education.B.com Her sister Shobana breaks down responding to her sister’s success coming first among GCC schools in the 12th board examinations. Both of them are daughters of auto driver

Visuals of houses submerged in #Miduchur, in Chennai suburbs. The residents have vacated. There’s no entry or exit to these houses as water has completely engulfed this neighbourhood of Varadarajapuram. @xpresstn @NewIndianXpress #chennaifloods2021 If not for the Municipality sign board, one can’t recognise if this is a street or not. A whole neighbourhood in #MullaiNagar at Mudichir looks like a big water body after it was flooded due to rains. @xpresstn @NewIndianXpress #Chennai

Houses for Irulars supposedly worth Rs 1.7 lakh built under PMAY scheme 4 years ago in this Chengalpet village lack ceilings, doors, windows and half-built. This has left 19 tribal families get drenched in rains. @PMOIndia @mkstalin @Kayalvizhi_N

newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai… A look at the quality of houses built under the Pradhan Matri Awas Yojana scheme. Are these even houses and do they look like they’re worth 1.7 lakh? A field report I did for @xpresstn @NewIndianXpress.

Chennai Corporation
announcement on Model Code of Conduct for upcoming #TN Elections.

Defacement of Govt Property:All wall writings, posters/papers, cutout/hoardings, banners, flags etc. on Govt property shall be removed within 24 hrs from the announcement of elections. (1/3). Defacement of public property and misuse of public space:* All political advertisements in Railway Stations, Bus stands, Roadways, Govt. buses, electric/Telephone phones, local body buildings etc. shall be removed within 48 hrs from the announcement of elections. (2/3)