Construction of Bridge Over Adyar River Begins Near Manapakkam

The long-awaited project that would replace the causeway crossing the Adyar River near Manapakkam finally saw the light of day and paved the way for the eventual end of the flood threats for the locality. The project under the aegis of the ₹24.8 crore project taken up by the Water Resources Department comes through the Officers Training Academy. It is expected to complete work by the year-end.

The existing causeway has been a bottleneck for the flow of water for a long time and caused the severe flooding that occurred at Manapakkam, Kolapakkam, and elsewhere. When Adyar carried nearly 80,000 cusecs of floodwater during the 2015 floods, it obstructed the drainage, and the neighborhoods were submerged for days.

Despite repeated instances of flooding over the years, the plan to replace the causeway with a bridge was delayed. In 2017, remnants of a pedestrian bridge connecting the OTA campus were cleared, but the causeway remained, continuing to pose a threat during monsoon seasons.

The project gained momentum following a directive from the Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal, which instructed the OTA to clear debris from the river and replace the causeway. Now, with construction underway, the new 175-meter-wide bridge will stand 10 meters high, ensuring an unobstructed water flow. This upgrade is expected to significantly improve the Adyar River’s flood-carrying capacity, preventing overflow into residential areas.

Residents of Manapakkam have welcomed the project, noting that while some stretches of the river have undergone restoration, similar flood-prone structures elsewhere need urgent attention. They urge the WRD to take further steps to prevent future flooding in other vulnerable areas.

As work progresses, the new bridge is set to provide much-needed relief to thousands of residents, offering a long-term solution to the recurring monsoon woes in the region.