National Green Tribunal on Cooum River Encroachments

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News Item Titled "Landgrabbers Take ... vs Tamil Nadu Coastal Zone Management ... on 24 March, 2026

Item No.4:-

          BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL
               SOUTHERN ZONE, CHENNAI

            Tuesday, the 24th day of March 2026.

               [Through Physical Hearing (Hybrid Option)]

          Original Application No.121 of 2024 (SZ)

                    [Earlier O.A. No.172 of 2024 (PB)]

IN THE MATTER OF

   Suo Motu in respect of news item
   appearing in The Times of India dated
   11.01.2024 titled "Landgrabbers take
   over Cooum"
                            With

 1) Tamil Nadu Coastal Zone Management Authority
   Through its Member Secretary,
   No.1, Jeenis Road, Panagal Building,
   Ground Floor, Saidapet, Chennai - 600 015.

 2) The District Collector
   Chennai, District Collector Office,
   62, Rajaji Salai, Fourth Floor,
   Beach Road, George Town,
   Chennai - 600 001.

 3) Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board
   Through its Member Secretary,
   Government of Tamil Nadu,
   76, Mount Salai, Guindy,
   Chennai - 600 032.

 4) Chennai Rivers Restoration Trust
   Through its Secretary,
   Government of Tamil Nadu,
   6/103, Dr. D.G.S. Dinakaran Salai,
   Raja Annamalaipuram,
   Chennai - 600 028.

 5) Water Resources Department
   Through its Secretary,
   Government of Tamil Nadu,
   e-Governance Cell,
   6th Floor Cabin, Shram Shakti Bhawan,
   Rafi Marg, New Delhi - 110 001.

 6) Greater Chennai Corporation
   Rep. by its Commissioner,
   Ripon Building,
   Chennai - 600 003.

   (R6 - Suo Motu impleaded as per Order dt.04.04.2025)
                                                            ...Respondent(s)
                               Page 1 of 7
 For Applicant (s):         Suo Motu

For Respondent(s):         Dr. D. Shanmuganathan for R1, R2, R4 & R5.
                           Mr. S. Sai Sathya Jith for R3.
                           Dr. S.B. Nirmalatha for R6.

Judgment Reserved on: 11th March, 2026.

CORAM:

HON'BLE Smt. JUSTICE PUSHPA SATHYANARAYANA, JUDICIAL MEMBER

HON'BLE Dr. PRASHANT GARGAVA, EXPERT MEMBER

                             JUDGMENT Delivered by Smt. Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana, Judicial Member

1.     The above-captioned Original Application was suo
    motu registered by the Principal Bench of this Tribunal on the basis
    of a news item published in The Times of India dated 11.01.2024
    titled "Landgrabbers take over Cooum" and was initially
    numbered as O.A. No.172 of 2024 (PB).                  The matter was
    subsequently transferred to this Bench and renumbered as O.A.
    No.121 of 2024 (SZ).
   

2.     The issue raised in the news report pertains to alleged
    encroachments along the Cooum River in Chennai, wherein sand
    and debris were reportedly dumped and portions of the riverbed
    were levelled by encroaching more than 10 feet into the river,
    particularly near Koyambedu.            It was further alleged that such
    activities were being carried out openly without intervention by
    the authorities and in violation of applicable buffer norms.
   

3.     The news item further claims that sand has been
    directly dumped into the riverbed and that earthmoving machinery
    has been used to level the area. It also states that the Tamil Nadu
    District Municipalities Building Rules, 1972 prescribe a buffer zone
    of 15 metres from the margins of waterways, which is alleged to
    have been violated.
   

Page 2 of 7 4. The news item additionally mentions that the Chennai
Rivers Restoration Trust (CRRT) has reportedly spent a sum of
Rs.500 Crore towards the restoration of the Cooum River, while
approximately 45% of the river's boundaries remain
undemarcated.

1.  Upon notice, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control
   

   Board (TNPCB)/Respondent No.3 has filed its reply affidavit
   dated 06.09.2024 stating that its mandate is confined to
   enforcement of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution)
   Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act,
   1981, and that matters relating to encroachment and dumping of
   sand in riverbeds do not fall within its regulatory purview.

2.  The     Chennai           Rivers      Restoration   Trust
   

   (Respondent No.4), in its report dated 25.11.2025, stated
   that the Integrated Cooum River Eco-Restoration Project is being
   implemented by the Government of Tamil Nadu under its aegis
   through various line departments, including the Water Resources
   Department (WRD), Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), Chennai
   Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Directorate of
   Municipal Administration, and the Commissionerate of Rural
   Development and Panchayat Raj. While several components of the
   project have been completed, the remaining works are in
   progress, with CRRT functioning as the nodal coordinating agency.

3.  It is further stated that the WRD has granted
   

   permission to the NHAI for execution of the Chennai Port-
   Maduravoyal Elevated Road Project along the Cooum River, and
   that NHAI has utilized certain stretches adjoining the river for
   project-related works.

4.  The report also notes that the Chief Secretary to the
   

   Government has issued directions during review meetings held on
   24.12.2024, 14.03.2025, and 14.05.2025, inter alia, requiring: (i)
   regular meetings of a Joint Coordination Committee comprising
   officials from relevant departments to ensure uninterrupted flow
   of water in the river during project execution; (ii) implementation
   of adequate precautionary and flood mitigation measures by NHAI, Page 3 of 7 particularly during the monsoon; and (iii) consideration by the
   GCC of NHAI's request to dismantle portions of the compound wall
   for construction of entry and exit ramps, subject to approval after
   the monsoon period.

5.  The Water Resources Department (Respondent
   

   No.5), in its report dated 25.11.2025, stated that the Cooum
   River originates in Cooum village in Kadambathur Union of
   Tiruvallur District, with its main course commencing at Sattarai
   Village and that the river stretch within Chennai extends from
   Padikuppam Causeway near Koyambedu to Napier Bridge.

6. With regard to the allegations of dumping of sand and
   

   debris and encroachment into the riverbed along the said stretch,
   it is stated that such activities are attributable to the formation of
   an approach road by NHAI as part of the project. It is further
   stated that the Government of Tamil Nadu accorded in-principle
   approval to NHAI for construction of a four-lane elevated road
   from Chennai Port to Maduravoyal along one bank of the Cooum
   River vide G.O. Ms. No.199 dated 22.06.2007 and a Memorandum
   of Understanding was executed in this regard. NHAI has
   commenced preliminary works, including the formation of the
   approach road and has undertaken to remove all debris and
   restore the river to its original condition upon completion of the
   project.

7. The report further states that the works were
   

   temporarily halted due to non-deposit of a security amount of
   Rs.50 crore to ensure restoration of the river. Upon deposit of the
   said amount and submission of an undertaking by NHAI, the works
   were permitted to resume. It is also stated that demarcation and
   DGPS survey of the river stretch from Padikuppam Causeway to
   Napier Bridge have been completed. Eviction of encroachments
   has been kept in abeyance due to pending court cases and will be
   undertaken upon receipt of appropriate orders. It is further noted
   that NHAI has been directed to remove temporary structures such
   as site offices and working platforms, and has informed that 238
   such platforms in the river would be removed on or before
   31.08.2025. It is also brought to notice that this Tribunal, in Page 4 of 7 Original Application No.170 of 2024 (SZ) concerning similar issues
   of encroachment along the Cooum River, had disposed of the
   matter by order dated 21.01.2025.

8. The Greater Chennai Corporation (Respondent
   

   No.6), in its status report dated 12.02.2026, mostly reiterated
   the submissions of the WRD and further stated that, under the
   Integrated Cooum River Eco-Restoration Project implemented
   through CRRT, construction of compound walls and boundary
   fencing has been undertaken over a total length of 23.92 km, of
   which 20.54 km has been completed. The remaining work will be
   carried out after resettlement of project-affected families in
   coordination with the WRD and the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat
   Development Board.

9. The report further states that trash booms have been
   

   installed at eight locations to intercept floating waste,
   approximately 39,000 MT of such waste has been removed and
   about 1,00,485 MT of debris and garbage has been cleared from
   the riverbanks. It is also stated that 14,257 encroaching families
   have been identified along the riverbanks, of which 13,484
   families have been resettled and steps are being taken to resettle
   the remaining families.

10. Considered the submissions made by the learned
    

    counsel appearing for the respondent authorities and also perused
    the materials available on record.

11. It is evident from the records that the activities
    

    referred to in the news report are primarily connected with the
    execution of the Chennai Port-Maduravoyal Elevated Road Project
    by the NHAI, for which requisite approvals have been granted by
    the competent authorities. The WRD has permitted execution of
    the project along the Cooum River, and the alleged dumping of
    sand, debris and encroachment into the riverbed is attributable to
    the formation of an approach road as part of the project. The
    project was accorded in-principle approval by the Government of
    Tamil Nadu (G.O.Ms. No. 199 dated 22.06.2007) and is governed
    by a Memorandum of Understanding, under which NHAI has Page 5 of 7 undertaken to remove the debris and restore the river upon
    completion.

12. It is further noted that demarcation and DGPS survey
    of the river stretch from Padikuppam Causeway to Napier Bridge
    have been completed, while eviction of encroachments is pending
    due to ongoing court proceedings and will be carried out upon
    receipt of appropriate orders. NHAI has also been directed to
    remove temporary structures, including 238 working platforms
    within the river, by 31.08.2025.

13. The Greater Chennai Corporation has reported
    substantial progress under the eco-restoration project, with 20.54
    km of compound wall completed out of a total 23.92 km, the
    remaining work being contingent upon the resettlement of
    affected families in coordination with the Tamil Nadu Urban
    Habitat Development Board. It is also noted that 14,257
    encroaching families have been identified along the riverbanks, of
    which 13,484 families have already been resettled, and necessary
    steps are being taken to resettle the remaining families.

14. This Tribunal, in a similar matter concerning
    encroachments caused by dumping construction waste along the
    banks of Aminthakarai Cooum in Original Application No.170
    of 2024 (SZ), had already issued directions vide judgment dated
    21.01.2025, mandating that no debris shall be dumped into the
    river and that temporary structures shall be removed immediately
    upon completion of the work, so as to prevent flooding and
    ecological damage.

15. In view of the above and considering the ongoing
    works as well as the environmental sensitivity of the Cooum river,
    it is necessary to reiterate and reinforce such directions.

16. Accordingly, this Original Application [O.A. No.121
    of 2024 (SZ)] is disposed of with the following directions:

(i) The Water Resources Department (WRD) and the
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) shall
ensure that no further dumping of debris, sand or Page 6 of 7 construction material takes place in the Cooum
River beyond what is strictly necessary for execution
of the project.

(ii) The NHAI shall ensure that all temporary structures,
including working platforms, piling rigs and other
installations, are erected only when necessary and
are removed immediately upon completion of the
respective work.

(iii) The WRD shall maintain strict vigil over the river
stretch and take immediate action in case of any
unauthorized dumping or encroachment.

(iv) The respondent authorities shall ensure that the
natural flow of the river is not obstructed at any
stage, particularly during the monsoon season and
that adequate flood mitigation measures are in
place.

(v) The process of removal of encroachments from the
river area shall be carried out expeditiously, subject
to the outcome of pending court proceedings.

(vi) The Greater Chennai Corporation and the Chennai
Rivers Restoration Trust shall continue the eco-
restoration measures, including construction of
boundary walls and waste removal, in a time-bound
manner.

Sd/-

Smt. Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana, JM

                                                  Sd/-

Dr. Prashant Gargava, EM

                                                       Internet - Yes/No

                                          All India NGT Reporter - Yes/No

O.A. No.121/2024 (SZ)
24th March, 2026. Mn.

Page 7 of 7