Independent report filed in Original Application No 144 of 2021 (SZ) (Suomotu Vs The Chief Secretary to Govt of Tamil Nadu & Others).

The NGT initiated suo motu based on the new item published in a newspaper regarding dumping of waste and encroachments along the Cooum river in Chetpet, Chennai.

The Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSS) has taken up 15 sub projects for the implementation of 'integrated Cooum river eco-restoration project'. The work consists of ten interception and diversion arrangements along the river and three modular sewage treatment plants (STPs) for treatment of the diverted sewage at College road, Chetpet, one 10 MLD sewage treatment plant at Langs Garden and one underground sewerage scheme (UGSS) at Nerkundram.

The report said that on completion of the above mentioned projects, 37 sewage outfalls into river Cooum will be plugged by CMWSSB. Another project taken up by CMWSS was 'Adyar river restoration project from origin to mouth'. And on completion of the Adyar restoration project, 39 sewage outfalls into river Adyar within Chennai city will be plugged. The CMWSSB is taking steps for mitigation of sewage outfalls that will help in preventing pollution of rivers Adyar, Cooum and Buckingham Canal.