Kancheepuram removes encroachments on Pappan canal

 

Authorities had started demolishing encroachments on the Pappan canal, an important feeder channel of the Adyar, as early as on November 8, but the focus was restricted to removing hutments. With unrest prevailing after the December 1 deluge, officials stepped up action.

 

Collector R. Gajalakshmi supervised the operations along with rain damage nodal officers K. Rajaraman and P. Amudha as excavators tore down buildings under police protection supervised by ADGP Coastal Security Group, C. Sylendra Babu.

 

Speaking to DC, on condition of anonymity, PWD officials noted that the Pappan canal had been reduced to one-third of its original expanse. “As per our records, the canal’s width ought to be 60 m. But it is only 20 m now due to rampant encroachments,” an official said.

 

The administration is taking action in a 7.5 km portion of the canal that falls under Kanchipuram district. “It is now up to Chennai Corporation to take action on the remaining portion and also along the Adyar to prevent flood damage,” the official said. “After this [demolition], areas like Tambaram, Mudichur, Perungalathur and Anakaputhur will not flood anymore,” the official said. 

 

A total of 416 encroachments have been targeted for demolition and officials said  the entire process will be completed in two months. Interestingly, the demolition was undertaken by officials armed with a 2010 Madras high court order directing removal of encroachments. “When we attempted to remove the encroachments in 2010, there were political disturbances and with Assembly elections in 2011, we were asked to back off,” said an official.However, despite four years after a new government came to power, PWD officials did not carry out the demolition work, which officials agreed was due to negligence on their part. 

 

“There was not much rainfall in these years. So it was conveniently forgotten,” an official said. On Wednesday, there was no political disturbance or disruptions. Sources said that the team carrying out demolition was reporting directly and only to the CM J. Jayalalithaa.