Tamil Nadu Government Transforms Madras Race Club Land into Waterbody

The Tamil Nadu state government has announced plans to convert 118 acres of land retrieved from the Madras Race Club (MRC) in Chennai into a new waterbody. This initiative, aimed at enhancing flood mitigation and groundwater recharge in southern Chennai, was confirmed during a meeting led by Chief Secretary N Muruganandam on August 19.

Attendees at the meeting included senior officials from various departments, such as the Department of Horticulture, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA), the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), and the Water Resources Department (WRD). According to The New Indian Express, D Shanmuganathan, the standing counsel for the Tamil Nadu government in the National Green Tribunal (NGT), stated that the chief secretary has directed the WRD to conduct a comprehensive study on the optimal design for the land as a functional waterbody.

Environmental Context and Ongoing Legal Matters

The land in question is situated upstream of the diminished Velachery lake, an area that has been the focal point of both development proposals and environmental litigation. The GCC has previously excavated four ponds on the site, with a total storage capacity of 4.7 million cubic feet, to facilitate rainwater harvesting.

This latest government decision comes even as the southern bench of the NGT has ordered the state to maintain the status quo regarding the property until a detailed report is submitted. The NGT has previously requested justification from the state government regarding its decision to allocate the 118 acres of land to the Department of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, instead of restoring it as a waterbody.

The tribunal is currently addressing several related cases, including a suo motu inquiry sparked by reports of the shrinking Velachery lake. Once encompassing 255 acres, the lake has now contracted to less than one-fifth of its original size, with considerable portions appropriated by government bodies for housing and infrastructure projects.

Future Plans and Legal Challenges

In a recent affidavit, Additional Chief Secretary (WRD) K Manivasan indicated that a project worth ₹23.5 crore under the CMDA’s ‘Lake Front Development Scheme’ is already in progress to desilt and deepen Velachery lake, ultimately increasing its capacity by 22%. Additionally, a detailed plan for rejuvenating surrounding tanks is being developed as part of a broader flood mitigation strategy.

Despite these advancements, counsel for the MRC has raised concerns regarding the original 99-year lease established in 1946, which is set to expire in 2045. The counsel questioned the government’s assertion that it had formally taken possession of the land, highlighting a potential legal conflict.

The case is scheduled for further hearings in the second week of November, as stakeholders await the outcomes of ongoing discussions and studies regarding the future of this significant land area in Chennai.