Velachery lake. File
| Photo Credit: B. Velankanni Raj
The southern bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu to submit a comprehensive report on encroachments in Velachery lake and has specifically sought an explanation as to why 118 acres of government-acquired land from the erstwhile Madras Race Club cannot be developed as a waterbody.
During a recent hearing, the bench, comprising Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana and expert member Satyagopal Korlapati, noted that flooding in downstream areas like Velachery continues to be a recurring crisis, and questioned the rationale behind handing over the Race Club land — situated upstream of Velachery — to the Department of Horticulture and Plantation Crops for public gardens. “The conversion of this land into a waterbody would significantly enhance groundwater percolation and recharge, and minimise flood risk,” the bench said.
The bench took on record a report dated July 2 submitted by the Additional Chief Secretary to the Water Resources Department (WRD) but found it lacking in detail. The report did not specify the original extent of Velachery lake, the area currently encroached upon, or the impact of the proposed ₹23.5-crore renovation work, which claims a 22% increase in capacity. The bench questioned whether this would be sufficient to even restore the lake’s original capacity, especially in the face of intense rainfall events.
Earlier orders have recorded that multiple government agencies — including the Tamil Nadu Housing Board and the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board — have encroached upon what was once the 255-acre Velachery lake, reducing it to a fraction of its original size. A portion has also been taken over by the Highways Department.
The bench directed the WRD to furnish precise figures on the original and current extent of the lake as per revenue records, along with findings from a previously conducted bathymetric survey. It also asked for projections of the lake’s holding capacity after the proposed works are implemented.
It was noted that while the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has developed four ponds in the upstream area, these can hold only 4.70 mcft of water and are inadequate to address the scale of flooding the area routinely faces.
Highlighting the involvement of multiple departments, including the CMDA, GCC, Water Resources, Housing, and Horticulture, the bench said it was appropriate for the Chief Secretary to coordinate a comprehensive response.
The matter has been posted for further hearing on July 15.
Published – July 12, 2025 03:44 pm IST
