The Chennai River Restoration Trust will soon make an application seeking permission from the State Coastal Zone Management Authority for commencing the second phase of Adyar Poonga (Tholkaapiya Poonga).
Work on the phase is estimated to cost Rs.18.93 crore.
The Authority would examine the project proposed in the CRZ area and give its recommendations for it to be referred to the government.
The second phase would cover eco restoration of 300 acres of the Adyar Creek and estuary.
The first phase was inaugurated in January this year following eco restoration of 58 acres.
On getting approval for the second phase from the government, cleaning of the stretch between the Kotturpuram bridge and Greenways Road would commence with the active participation of the Chennai Corporation and Chennai Metrowater.
Work on restoration of flora between Thiru.Vi.Ka. Bridge and Santhome Causeway would also be taken up. Removal of Prosopis, an exotic species, from the Eco Park would be carried out as part of this phase of the project. Rhizophora and Avicennia species would be planted in the area instead. Stabilisation of bunds, river banks, creek and small islands in the area would form part of phase II.
The project would also restore the normal tidal inflow into the creek and estuary and make the place a haven for more species of aquatic birds.
The State government spent over Rs.23 crore on eco restoration in the first phase. About 1.37 lakh saplings of around 172 endemic species of trees, herbs, shrubs, reeds and tuberous plants have been planted to serve as habitat for aquatic, terrestrial and arboreal species.
Culverts to be enlarged
There are proposals to enlarge the culverts below Santhome Causeway to allow passage of water in and out of the creek.
