Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai
Chennai, Jan 19: Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin on Monday laid the foundation stone for the Mamallan Reservoir Project at Nemmeli on the East Coast Road (ECR) in Chengalpattu district, aiming to strengthen water supply for Chennai’s rapidly expanding southern suburbs.
The Rs 342.60-crore project, led by the Water Resources Department, is designed to enhance drinking water availability and improve long-term water management in the region.
Speaking at the event, CM Stalin emphasized the critical role of water governance, comparing it to financial management for a nation’s growth. He highlighted Tamil civilization’s historical dependence on waterbodies, noting that settlements traditionally flourished near sustainable water sources.
Recalling the Pallava era, he pointed out that rulers had built 39 lakes in the Kancheepuram region to ensure water security, along with dedicated systems to maintain them. The CM explained that the reservoir’s proximity to Mamallapuram, founded by Pallava ruler Narasimhavarman I (‘Mamallan’), inspired the project’s name.
Addressing criticism of the DMK government, Stalin refuted claims that his administration had neglected reservoir construction. He cited that 43 reservoirs were built during DMK tenures between 1967 and 2011. He also highlighted recent achievements, including timely opening of the Mettur Dam, Cauvery delta restoration projects, construction of 121 check dams, 63 anaicuts, desilting of over 40,000 lakes, and restoration of 1.3 lakh kilometres of drains. The Thamirabarani–Karumeniyar–Nambiyar interlinking canal project, launched in February 2025, was also mentioned as part of ongoing water management efforts.
The Mamallan Reservoir will be located in the Kovalam basin, covering areas between Thiruporur and Thirukazhukundram along the ECR–OMR corridor. Spread over 5,100 acres with a 1.65 TMC storage capacity and a 34-km-long bund, it is designed to capture surplus water from Manamathi Lake that would otherwise drain into the sea.
The reservoir will provide 170 million litres of water per day, benefiting approximately 13 lakh residents in areas including Sholinganallur, Medavakkam, Pallikaranai, Siruseri, and Mamallapuram. Additional benefits include preventing seawater intrusion, restoring 15 km of the Buckingham Canal, and supporting local fishermen through assured fishing rights.
CM Stalin described the project as a historic initiative that would ensure water security and sustainable development for Chennai’s southern regions, reinforcing the state’s focus on comprehensive water management.