The Naattu Kaalvai in Tiruneermalai Main Road.
| Photo Credit: Photo: T. Arvind
A Right to Information response dated June 24, 2026 from Water Resource Department has stated that a revised proposal estimated at ₹44.10 crore had been submitted to the State government for comprehensive restoration of the Naattu Kaalvai.This should come as some relief to residents of Saraswathipuram, Rangapuram and adjoining localities in Tiruneermalai who have been wagging a long battle to remove encroachments, desilt the Naattu Kaalvai and prevent the discharge of sewage and effluents into the canal.The localities, which were formerly under the Tiruneermalai Town Panchayat and now fall under Ward 31 of Tambaram Corporation, depend on the canal for the drainage of surplus water from waterbodies including Tiruneermalai Periya Eri and Veeraraghavan Eri.
A narrow stretch of the Naattu Kaalvai near Saraswathipuram Extension Fourth Street. Residents say the canal has shrunk considerably at several locations owing to encroachments.
The latest RTI states that the proposed works would include the construction of 3,200 metres of flood-retaining walls on both sides of the canal. According to the department, the project would prevent floodwater from breaching the canal and inundating adjoining residential colonies.Flooding concernsAccording to residents and activists, surplus water from these tanks flows through the Naattu Kaalvai, passing through Saraswathipuram, Ranga Nagar, the Tiruneermalai temple town, Jain Housing and other residential areas before joining the Adyar river. However, encroachments, silt accumulation and sewage inflow have reduced the carrying capacity of the canal, resulting in frequent inundation during heavy rain.
