Chennai Floods: Could the Race Club Land Be the Key to Velachery’s Flood Control?

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) is questioning the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to allocate the 118-acre Race Club land, located upstream of Velachery, to the Department of Horticulture and Plantation Crops for the development of public gardens.

NGT Raises Concerns Over Flood Control Strategy

The bench expressed concern over the rationale behind this decision, particularly given Velachery’s vulnerability to flooding. They questioned why this prime piece of land wasn’t being considered as a potential waterbody to mitigate flooding issues in the area. The existing plan earmarks the land for public gardens, but the NGT is pushing for a more comprehensive approach to flood management.

Could a Waterbody on the Race Club Land Offer a Solution?

The NGT’s inquiry highlights the potential of utilizing the Race Club land as a vital component of a larger flood control strategy. Converting the area into a waterbody could potentially absorb excess rainwater, easing the burden on Velachery’s drainage systems during heavy monsoon seasons.