Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin inaugurated the Rs 342.60 crore Mamallan reservoir project, intended to boost Chennai’s drinking water supply. This significant infrastructure development marks the sixth dam for the city, complementing existing resources like other dams, Veeranam lake, and desalination plants.
According to Stalin, the reservoir, named after Pallava emperor Narasimhavarman I, will address the expanding water needs of Chennai due to urban growth. By capturing surplus water from 69 lakes, the project aims to supply 120 million litres of water daily to numerous suburbs.
Despite the project’s promise to secure Chennai’s water future, it has sparked opposition. Critics, including AMMK’s T T V Dhinakaran and environmental group ‘Poovulagin Nanbargal,’ argue that insufficient hydrological studies were conducted, potentially threatening the environment and local communities.