Karambakkam Residents Question Construction of PDS Shop on Waterbody

Chennai:Residents of Karambakkam have raised concerns over the construction of a new Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) building on a site recorded as a government pond, saying a public building has once again come up on a waterbody, instead of the site being restored and protected.

The building, reportedly a replacement for an old and dilapidated ration shop, has been constructed on survey No. 65 of Maduravoyal village in ward 150. Revenue records identify the 2,650 sq.m. site as government poramboke – ‘kulam’ (pond).

Historical survey records dating back to 1875 also identify survey No. 65 as a pond, with the surrounding areas recorded as village site and private lands.

“If the land is still classified as a pond, how can a new permanent building be constructed here? The fact that the same survey number was recorded as a pond even in the 19th century makes the issue more serious,” said a resident familiar with the site.

Residents said the waterbody has already been progressively reduced by construction over the years, with around 27 buildings reportedly coming up on or within the pond area.

“We have been losing water bodies piece by piece to construction. When an old building became unusable, it was an opportunity to restore at least a portion of the pond. Instead, another building has come up,” said another resident.

The location assumes significance in the wider Porur-Maduravoyal waterbody network and lies close to Porur lake. Residents said retaining even small waterbodies in the rapidly urbanising locality was important for storing rainwater and reducing the pressure on the stormwater drainage system during heavy rain.

“During the monsoon, every remaining water-retention area matters. Once a pond is covered by a permanent structure, we cannot get that storage capacity back,” said a civic activist from the locality.

Residents are also questioning whether GCC examined the original revenue classification before deciding to reconstruct the public facility.

The issue has gained significance following a Madras high court order concerning construction on a waterbody in Mayiladuthurai district. The court had directed the state to take steps to clear the waterbody, following which the commissioner of land administration (CLA) issued instructions in November 2025 covering construction, reconstruction and repairs on lands classified as water bodies.

The CLA instructions also call for existing public buildings on waterbodies to be identified and proposals prepared for their relocation to unobjectionable land.

The Karambakkam residents said the government should, therefore, make public the records relating to projects in ward 150, including the survey classification, administrative sanction, building approval, work order and dates of demolition and reconstruction.

“We are not against a ration shop or any public facility. Our question is why it has to be reconstructed on land recorded as a pond when there are government rules to protect waterbodies. If another site is available, the facility can be provided there without sacrificing the waterbody,” said the activist.

“There is also uncertainty over the procurement process for the reconstruction. An initial examination of publicly accessible GCC tender records has not identified the tender or work documents specifically relating to the project,” he added.

The residents have sought a joint inspection by GCC and the revenue department to verify the original survey classification and the extent of the waterbody that remains.

They also want the authorities to establish whether survey No. 65 was ever legally reclassified before the new construction was taken up and, if so, under what proceedings.

“The pond was there in the records in 1875. If we allow it to disappear building by building, future generations will have no idea that a waterbody existed here. The government should protect what remains instead of allowing further construction,” said a resident.

GCC and the revenue department are yet to publicly clarify the basis on which the new structure was constructed on the site classified as a pond.