As per the orders of the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru C. Joseph Vijay, ➢ Desilting and restoration work on the Cooum river stretch near Padikuppam, Aminjikarai Taluk, Chennai District ➢ Desilting and restoration work on Okkiyam Madavu located at Okkiyam Thoraipakkam village, Sholinganallur Taluk, Chennai District were launched by the Hon'ble Minister for Rural Development and Water Resources, Thiru N. Anand, who unfurled the flag and inspected the field works. As per the orders of the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru C. Joseph Vijay, today (Monday, 27-07-2026), at about 9.00 AM, the desilting and restoration work on the Cooum river stretch near Padikuppam, Aminjikarai Taluk, Chennai District, was launched and inspected. Subsequently, at about 11.00 AM, the Hon'ble Minister for Rural Development and Water Resources, Thiru N. Anand, inspected and launched the desilting and restoration work on Okkiyam Madavu, located at Okkiyam Thoraipakkam village, Sholinganallur Taluk, Chennai District. Padikuppam Cooum river desilting work: The Cooum river originates from Cooum Lake in Tiruvallur District/Taluk, joins the old Bangaru Canal flowing from the Sevvaram regulator, and flows 72 km along its downstream course before joining the Bay of Bengal near Napier Bridge, Chennai. Within the Chennai metropolitan limits, it flows about 21 km through the densely urbanised areas of Tiruvottiyur (Tiruverkadu), Koyambedu, Aminjikarai, Choolaimedu, Chetpet, Egmore and Chindadripet before finally joining the sea. This stretch of the river, flowing within Greater Chennai Corporation limits, has become choked with water hyacinth, floating vegetation and floating debris, obstructing the flow. Because the Water Resources Department, in collaboration with a voluntary organisation, is undertaking desilting from the downstream stretch below Padikuppam up to Napier Bridge and cleaning the Cooum north branch, this will enable rain and flood water to flow unimpeded through the Cooum in the Chennai metropolitan areas of Padikuppam, Aminjikarai, Choolaimedu, Chetpet, Egmore and Chindadripet. Okkiyam Madavu desilting work: Okkiyam Madavu, located at Okkiyam Thoraipakkam village, Sholinganallur Taluk, Chennai District, is situated adjoining the Pallikaranai marshland. This channel carries rainwater and flood water received from the Pallikaranai marsh through the Buckingham Canal into the sea. Surplus water from 62 lakes upstream also drains into this channel. The flood-carrying capacity of this channel is 12,000 cusecs. Okkiyam Madavu is 2.65 km in length, with a width varying from 80 metres to 140 metres. Okkiyam Madavu is the sole waterway carrying flood water from the Pallikaranai marsh. Due to water hyacinth infestation, the flood-carrying capacity of this channel has diminished. Owing to joint desilting and restoration efforts by the Water Resources Department and private voluntary organisations, desilting works will be carried out, as a first phase, from 0 metres to 2,650 metres, to enhance the flood-carrying capacity of Okkiyam Madavu, thereby preventing flooding in the South Chennai areas surrounding the Pallikaranai marshland. As a flood-preparedness measure ahead of the monsoon, planned to be completed as per the orders of the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, the Hon'ble Minister for Rural Development and Water Resources, Thiru N. Anand, flagged off the desilting work, conducted a field inspection, and directed officials to complete it expeditiously. The event was attended by Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly MLA for Kolathur/Virugambakkam, Thiru R. Perinathan; MLA for Maduravoyal, Thiru P. Revanth Charan; MLA for Ambattur, Thiru K. Balamurugan; MLA for Vyasarpadi, Thiru M. Arul Prakasam; MLA for Sholinganallur, Thiru B. Saravanan; Chief Secretary, Water Resources Department, Dr. Sathyabrata Sahu IAS; Commissioner of Greater Chennai Corporation, Dr. Sameeran IAS; Central Zone Deputy Commissioner, Thiru H.R. Kaushik IAS; Chennai District Collector, Smt. S. Malathi Selvan IAS; Chief Engineer Smt. Janaki; Water Resources Department engineers; and members of voluntary organisations. Issued By: - DIPR, Secretariat, Chennai – 9