If the grand plan for easing mobility in the city comes through, the city’s rivers will soon have ferry services, integrating the new water transport system with the existing public transit system. It is not the first time a proposal to make rivers navigable is being discussed, but the plan also considers larger development of associated areas.
According to the draft final report of Comprehensive Mobility Plan for the Chennai Metropolitan Area, the water transport system proposed focusses on the ferry services as the mode for public transportation and also envisions a holistic development of the areas connected by waterways. “The system has been proposed along two corridors, along the rivers — Cooum and Adyar,” said an official.
Apart from developing a ferry service, the project also looks at a bigger concept of seamless integration of all modes of transit, including bus transport and rail. Corridor I will run along Adyar River from Thiru-Vi-Ka bridge to Nandambakkam for a distance of 10.6 km. “Adyar and Satya Nagar will act as terminal interchange locations with the Metrorail,” said an official.
Corridor II has been proposed along the Cooum river, from Chennai Park Town to Nemilichery. Corridor II has been planned to be implemented in two phases. Phase I of Cooum Corridor will extend from Park Town to Maduravoyal over a distance of 17.8 km.
Phase II will have ferry services operating from Maduravoyal to Nemilichery over a distance of 16 km.
Park Town and Maduravoyal would be designed as terminal interchange locations for Phase I of Cooum Corridor. Maduravoyal and Nemilichery would be developed as terminal interchange locations for Phase II.
In the Adyar Corridor, Saidapet and Ekkatuthangal would be developed as intermediate interchange locations.
Potential to be assessed
In the Cooum Corridor, Nungambakkam, Shenoy Nagar and Koyambedu will have intermediate interchange locations. “The feasibility study has to be carried out to assess the demand and potential by the respective development authority. The ferry services will start only after pollution of the waterway is reduced,” said an official.
Urban planning expert N. Mathavan said the proposal could prevent further pollution of rivers only if all the line agencies completed the ecorestoration project properly.
“I still have doubts over the feasibility of such a project. There should be innovation in improving the flow of water in the rivers. Flow is reported only for two months every year. A comprehensive study on all aspects, including the impact of high tide and low tide on the ferry service, may have to be completed. Sewage discharge should be stopped. But we are continuing to destroy our rivers with more and more effluents and sewage disposal,” said Mr. Mathavan.
Former City Health Officer and Indian Public Health Foundation chairman P. Kuganantham said the Corporation found more than 25,000 illegal sewage connections from commercial buildings and huge apartments a few years ago. “The present effort would prevent illegal sewer connections. We can store huge amounts of rainwater or allow sea water for the ferry service. It is a good move not only for improving aesthetics but also for improving public health,” Dr. Kuganantham.
