Chennai: Tamil Nadu govt will implement blue-green infrastructure projects around Chennai’s water bodies and build a ₹3,108-crore ring main pipeline network to strengthen the city’s drinking water supply, finance minister N Marie Wilson announced in the assembly on Wednesday.As part of the govt’s plan to make Chennai a sustainable and disaster-resilient city, Greater Chennai Corporation will implement blue-green infrastructure projects across the 251 water bodies under its maintenance. The works include raising the height of retaining walls and installing chain-link fences around water bodies to improve water discharge capacity, reduce urban flooding and protect environmental resources. The projects are also expected to create sustainable public spaces for community use.The ring main pipeline project will connect Chennai’s major drinking water sources with distribution stations across the city by 2030-2031. Metrowater will establish a circular pipeline network linking reservoirs, desalination plants and distribution stations. The interconnected system will allow water to be transferred between different areas, ensuring uninterrupted supply even if one water source is affected. The city now depends mainly on reservoirs and desalination plants for drinking water. During disruptions at any source, Metrowater often deploys tanker lorries to supply water to affected areas.Officials said the circular pipeline has been designed to carry up to 1,762 million litres per day, matching the city’s projected water demand for the next two decades. The network will integrate key water distribution stations, including Chembarambakkam, Madhavaram and Puzhal.Officials said the looped pipeline system will maintain stable water pressure across the network, reducing the risk of sewage entering through cracks or leaks. As the pipelines will remain continuously pressurised, the chances of contamination and water loss will also come down.
