In what could be a significant move towards the implementation of the integrated eco-restoration of the Cooum, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has granted Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance for projects from the river mouth to the Chetpet railway bridge. Under the eco-restoration project, the Chennai Rivers Restoration Trust (CRRT) proposes the implementation of 60 sub-projects, of which 20 sub-projects fall in CRZ areas on either side of the tidal estuary. Some of the sub-projects include development of parks, maintenance of walkways, desilting, laying of interceptors and modular sewage treatment plants, and flora and mangrove plantation. The proposal was considered by the Expert Appraisal Committee of the MoEF thrice last year and the clearance was given on June 28 this year. Even though successive governments have been talking about the revival of the river for decades, the real push came during the DMK’s regime in 2006-11, when M.K. Stalin was the deputy chief minister. Despite it being Mr. Stalin’s pet project, former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, whose party succeeded the DMK in 2011, decided to go ahead with the project and inaugurated it in September 2015. Wide-ranging goals The project aims to find alternative ways to stop sewage inlets into the river, improve flood-carrying capacity, resettle and rehabilitate slum dwellers, restore biodiversity and ensure riverfront development. Though launched with big hopes, the project has progressed in fits and starts. Officials of the line departments claim the delay was primarily due to the CRZ restrictions. In fact, a few departments had even issued work orders without the knowledge that some of the sub-projects required CRZ clearance, sources said. Baby canals As part of the project, the PWD has been constructing baby canals inside the river on the stretch from Paruthipet to Chetpet at a total cost of Rs. 50 crore of which so far, Rs. 27 crore has been spent on desilting, widening and formation of the baby canal to ensure water flow at all times, said a PWD official. According to sources, the PWD stopped work three months ago since 14,257 families that had encroached upon the banks of the river had to be moved and CRZ clearance was required. Though CRZ clearance has been obtained, the work cannot be taken up in the stretch between Chetpet and the river mouth since the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has an on-going elevated expressway project to the port on the stretch. We are currently having discussions with the NHAI to see how the work can be carried out since their construction is expected to commence shortly, explained an official. Chennai Metrowater too has 10 packages, out of which four required CRZ clearance. However, tenders have been awarded for all the packages and work would commence shortly, officials said. Now that the clearance has been obtained, the Corporation will resume work on the construction of a wall along the river, removing encroachments to facilitate the resettlement of 14,257 families in 55 slums.