Cooum River Restoration: Tamil Nadu Plans Global Expertise and Phased Development in Chennai

Tamil Nadu is moving towards a phased restoration plan for the Cooum river in Chennai, with the State government preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) and planning to bring in global technical expertise for the project.

Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay reviewed the progress of the DPR and directed officials to develop the restoration programme in phases. The review also covered proposed facilities and preparations for inviting global tenders, with the government seeking international technical expertise and standards for the restoration work.

The Cooum restoration initiative was given priority in the Tamil Nadu government’s 2026–27 Budget, which proposed preparing a DPR for the river as part of a broader focus on restoring Chennai’s waterways. The government has also indicated plans to engage global consultants for feasibility and project reports covering the Cooum and Adyar rivers.

As part of the initial planning exercise, three-kilometre stretches of the Cooum have been identified for detailed study. The proposed development includes pedestrian and cycling tracks, riverside walkways, viewing decks, green spaces and community facilities.

The plan also includes nature-based environmental improvement measures, indicating that the proposed project is intended to address the river’s environmental condition alongside public-space development. Sewage interception, water quality, recreational spaces and flood-mitigation infrastructure are also part of the broader restoration agenda outlined by the government.

The immediate priority is to finalise the DPR, along with the concept and action plans, before the project moves towards global tendering and phased implementation. The government has directed officials to adopt an integrated and sustainable approach aimed at restoring the Cooum towards its natural state while improving the river environment and public spaces around it.

The latest move comes after years of efforts to clean and improve the Cooum. The current proposal takes a broader approach by combining ecological restoration with riverfront facilities and measures aimed at improving water quality and reducing flood-related risks.

The Water Resources Department is also undertaking maintenance and desilting work along the Cooum ahead of the northeast monsoon. These works are being carried out alongside the longer-term restoration planning.

For Chennai, the proposed phased approach could make the large-scale river restoration programme easier to plan and execute across different stretches. However, the detailed project report will determine the final scope, technical solutions, implementation structure and sequencing of the proposed works.

Chief Secretary M Sai Kumar and senior officials attended the review meeting where the Cooum restoration plans were discussed. The next stage will focus on completing the DPR and associated plans before moving towards the global tendering process.

The project is expected to bring together river restoration, environmental improvement and public infrastructure as part of Chennai’s broader urban development agenda.