Expert Body Formed to Protect Thamaraikani Tank in Sholinganallur

The Tamil Nadu government has constituted a specialized expert body dedicated to the protection and preservation of the Thamaraikani tank located in Sholinganallur. This development was officially communicated by the Additional Advocate General to the Madras High Court. The move is designed to ensure that the ecological integrity of the waterbody is maintained amidst urban expansion and infrastructure demands in the rapidly growing Chennai suburbs.

The formation of this body follows a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in 2019 by the non-governmental organization Arappor Iyakkam. The petition specifically challenged the state's plan to construct a permanent building for the Semmenchery police station on a portion of the tank. Activists argued that the construction would lead to the degradation of the waterbody and increase the risk of flooding in the surrounding residential areas during monsoon seasons.

The newly formed expert group will evaluate the current state of the Thamaraikani tank and recommend specific measures to prevent any further encroachment or environmental damage. For residents of Sholinganallur and Semmenchery, this signals a shift toward more sustainable urban planning that prioritizes natural drainage systems. The final court order is expected to provide a clear roadmap for the relocation of the proposed police station building to a more suitable, non-ecological site.