Mamallan reservoir: 30% work completed without clearance

CHENNAI: A brewing power tussle between the Water Resources Department (WRD) and Fisheries department has come to the fore over the Mamallan reservoir project, with the WRD proceeding with construction and completing nearly 30% of the work without obtaining the mandatory No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Fisheries department.

The Fisheries department, which is examining the project after seeking additional details, is yet to issue the clearance, raising questions over inter-departmental coordination and the manner in which the major drinking water project was allowed to progress.

The development has raised questions over how construction was allowed to proceed without the mandatory clearance, particularly as the project is located close to the coast and expected to have a bearing on the livelihood of around 5,000 fishing families. Sources in the government also pointed to growing friction between the two departments over the issue, with the delayed NOC request exposing an apparent turf war.

The WRD, which is executing the project, wrote to the Additional Director of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare on July 21, 2026, seeking an NOC for the ‘Formation of a New Drinking Water Reservoir in Kovalam Sub-Basin’. The reservoir is located between the East Coast Road (ECR) and Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) in Chengalpattu.

The project, which covers around 5,161 acres, is planned with an annual storage capacity of 2.25 TMC. Former Chief Minister MK Stalin had laid the foundation stone in January, following which construction activities continued for nearly 6 months. Around 30% of the work is now said to have been completed. However, the NOC remains pending.

A senior government official told DT Next that the WRD should have approached the Fisheries department at the initial stage itself. “From the beginning of the project, WRD officials appear to have proceeded without giving due importance to the Fisheries department. When a project is located close to the coast and has implications for the livelihood of fishermen, obtaining prior approval and proper NOC is essential. Starting the project without securing the clearance was a mistake,” the official said.

The official also questioned the timing of the WRD’s request, pointing out that the project had been presented as one of the important drinking water projects for Chennai and construction had already reached a substantial stage. “Although the project was inaugurated in January and construction has been progressing for around six months, the WRD sought the NOC only on July 21. This raises questions over why the clearance was not obtained before the work began,” the official added. “The Fisheries department has also sought additional details from the WRD to assess the project. We’ve been asking WRD for more information about the project but have not received any details so far. When we receive it, we’ll examine it and decide what action needs to be taken,” the official explained.

The delay has now put the spotlight on coordination between government departments in implementing major infrastructure projects. While the construction continues without an NOC, it has created uncertainty over whether additional conditions or measures could be imposed after the project progresses more.