The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has announced an ambitious plan to create a network of sponge parks. These parks, designed to enhance water storage and prevent flooding, will be built across multiple flood-prone areas, including Manali, Thiruvottiyur, and Madhavaram, all of which drain into the Kosasthalaiyar Basin.
The initiative comes with a substantial financial commitment, with the Tamil Nadu government allocating ₹88 crore for the project in its recent budget. The first phase of this project, which includes the creation of 50 sponge parks, has already seen the GCC issue tenders worth ₹8 crore. Locations earmarked for these parks include Sadayankuppam, Kargin Nagar, Vadaperumnabkkam, MMDA Colony, and Mathur. The funding for this initiative will be supported by the 3,000 crore Kosasthalaiyar stormwater drain project, which is partially funded by KfW. The sponge parks are designed to improve water retention and reduce the volume of surface water runoff, which has long been a concern during Chennai’s monsoon seasons. Some of the key sites targeted for restoration include Thamarai Kulam in Ennore, Vannar Kulam in Tondiarpet, and the Padavettamman Kovil Pond in Madhavaram. The GCC aims to carve out ponds approximately five feet deep in unused open spaces and corporation lands. Sewage lines in the surrounding areas will be redirected to these ponds, effectively reducing water stagnation and pollution.
The initiative is not only aimed at increasing water storage capacity but also at mitigating the region’s flooding woes. According to officials, the sponge parks could store up to 75 million litres of water once completed. Currently, the water flowing from Thiruvottiyur, Manali, and Madhavaram through the Kosasthalaiyar River and the Red Hills surplus is a significant contributor to the flooding problems, with around 30,000 cusecs of water being drained into the system daily. However, concerns remain about the effectiveness of the project, particularly with the state of existing water bodies. Civic activist, who has closely monitored the situation, pointed out that Madhavaram Lake, a critical water body in the region, is plagued by encroachments and has not been desilted in over three years. This has significantly reduced its water retention capacity, making it less effective in alleviating the flooding issues in the area.
While the creation of sponge parks marks a positive step forward, it highlights the broader challenges of urban water management. The GCC’s effort to restore and revitalise water bodies in flood-prone areas is vital for Chennai’s long-term sustainability. The city, known for its vulnerability to flooding, must continue to innovate and invest in green infrastructure to safeguard its future. As these sponge parks begin to take shape, all eyes will be on their ability to prevent flooding and contribute to water conservation in the face of increasing urbanisation and climate change.
