TANGEDCO’s illegal road creates flood risk for Ennore

An inspection report, dated November 1, 2017, submitted by the Regional Office of the MOEF&CC, Nungambakkam, has confirmed that, “TANGEDCO has encroached upon and blocked the backwaters of Ennore Creek beneath the Ennore Highway bridge by establishing an approach road no. 2 of 350 m length and 6 m width for the construction of external coal conveyor system without obtaining the prior approval from MoEF&CC, New Delhi and Tamil Nadu Coastal Zone Management Authority (TNCZMA).” The Regional Office also reported that this, “Clearly obstructs the natural flow of water within the Ennore Creek which may perhaps cause flood vulnerability in that area. 

Livelihood of communities in the surrounding Ennore Creek who directly depend on fishing activity may also be affected.” Pooja Kumar, researcher, Coastal Resource Centre (CRC), said that the road was laid in an area where the Ennore Creek drains into the Bay of Bengal. “Last year, before the flood, the Ennore Thermal Power Station (ETPS) removed the road it had illegally laid. But this year, they started construction of a road under the bridge. This is a critical area because the creek drains into the sea and the road is increasing the bund, obstructing the flood water flow. As is it, there is obstruction hampering the flow of water into the creek. Now, there is difficulty for the water to flow into the sea,” she added. 

The fisherfolk say that this road must be immediately removed by the State Disaster Management Authority, before the entire locality is prone to flooding. “After actor Kamal visited this place, the District Collector and PWD promised to remove encroachments. They have done nothing, and now we are sitting on a dangerous situation. If the authorities don’t remove it, we will have to do it ourselves,” said P. Mahendran, a fisherman from Kattukuppam.