Coastal watchdog seeks report over Uthandi cut-canal project

Chennai: The District Coastal Zone Management Authority (DCZMA) has sought a slew of details, including action taken against public complaints and assessment of water quality, from the water resources department (WRD) on the proposed cut-canal in Uthandi intended for flood mitigation. The project has been stalled for the past many months and has been facing opposition from the public.
The canal is proposed to begin from the Indian Maritime University on the ECR and pass through the VGP second main road in Uthandi, before draining into the sea. It is expected to provide flood relief to areas on the fringes of the city during the monsoon season. When announced last year, the project faced backlash from the public. They flagged the risks of groundwater contamination and damage to the coastal ecosystem and local livelihoods. Preliminary work that commenced last year was stalled as the WRD had not obtained the Coastal Regulation Zone clearance for the project. The DCZMA directed WRD to submit a report from the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) on the studies connected to the project, including discharge of overflow water into the sea, mitigation measures for coastal soil erosion, and impact on the marine ecosystem. It was also asked to submit a report on the action taken on concerns of sewage flow into the sea and results of analysis of water samples collected from Buckingham Canal. In Jan 2026, department of environment and climate change director Rahul Nadh wrote to the district collector and authorities in DCZMA, asking for the action taken report regarding the project. When asked, Rahul Nadh said he was yet to get the reports. "We have not yet given CRZ clearance for the project," he added.Residents in the area continue to oppose the project. "This is an underground canal. It is impossible to dredge it in the long run. Besides groundwater contamination and damage to beach sand, the area is one of the major turtle nesting grounds," said Radha Madhavan, a resident.When asked, a WRD official said that, barring some, many details sought by the DCZMA were submitted to the authorities concerned. "We are tying up with universities to carry out seasonal studies of the water characteristics and the ill-effects of draining into the sea. There would not be any damage to the beach ecosystem," he added.