Archive · 28 Sep 2026
Residents Seek Halt to Development Beside Madambakkam Lake
Residents are worried about a housing project being built next to Madambakkam Lake.
They say the project does not leave the required 50-metre space between the buildings and the wetland.
The project wall is reportedly being built along the lake’s official boundary.
Residents also say the land has flooded during earlier monsoons.
A Water Resources Department document reportedly advised raising the site.
Residents fear this could push more water toward nearby homes if drainage is inadequate.
They have asked government agencies to check the project’s permissions and land records.
They also want the lake protected, cleaned and properly fenced.
The matter has been taken to several authorities and the National Green Tribunal’s Southern Bench.
Residents and environmental groups allege a real estate project lacks the required 50-metre wetland buffer beside Madambakkam Lake.
The project’s compound wall reportedly follows the lake’s FMB boundary across Survey Nos. 768, 769 and 723.
Residents say the site has flooded during monsoons, while a Water Resources Department certificate recommended raising the entire site.
An RTI response said the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority was unaware of buffer requirements for an ISRO-listed wetland.
Petitions have been submitted to multiple agencies and the National Green Tribunal’s Southern Bench as residents seek a project halt and approval verification.
- Who
- Madambakkam residents, environmental groups and the Save Madambakkam Lake Campaign have raised the concerns; several government agencies have received their representations.
- What
- Residents are seeking a halt to a real estate development allegedly built without a 50-metre buffer beside Madambakkam Lake.
- When
- The issue has been raised with authorities since May 2024 and has gained urgency ahead of the Northeast Monsoon.
- Where
- On the northern side of Madambakkam Lake in Tambaram, covering Survey Nos. 768, 769 and 723.
- Why
- Residents cite alleged wetland-buffer violations, previous flooding, possible drainage impacts and uncertainty over environmental and planning approvals.
Residents and Environmental Groups
Agency and Approval Perspectives
Wetland buffer
Residents and Environmental Groups
Residents allege that the project’s compound wall follows the lake boundary and leaves no 50-metre buffer, contrary to applicable wetland protections.
Agency and Approval Perspectives
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority’s RTI response said it was unaware of the buffer-compliance requirements for an ISRO-listed wetland; no developer response is reported.
Flood management
Residents and Environmental Groups
Residents fear that raising the project site, combined with inadequate drainage, could increase flooding in neighbouring residential areas.
Agency and Approval Perspectives
The Water Resources Department’s No Objection Certificate reportedly recommended raising the elevation of the entire site because the area had previously been submerged.
Project approvals
Residents and Environmental Groups
Residents are seeking a halt, verification of land documents and statutory approvals, and clarity on environmental clearance, planning permission and land categorisation.
Agency and Approval Perspectives
The project has been the subject of representations to multiple government agencies and proceedings before the National Green Tribunal’s Southern Bench; the articles do not report a final decision on its approvals.
- Lake area
- Madambakkam Lake covers about 247 acres in Survey No. 708.
- Wetland status
- The lake is described as an Indian Space Research Organisation-identified wetland included in the National Wetland Inventory and Assessment.
- Alleged buffer
- Residents say the project does not maintain the mandatory 50-metre wetland buffer.
- Project location
- The development is on the lake’s northern side in Survey Nos. 768, 769 and 723.
- Flood concern
- Residents say the site has previously been submerged during monsoons.
- Agency response
- The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority said in an RTI response that it was unaware of buffer-compliance requirements applicable to an ISRO-listed wetland.
- Legal status
- The matter reached the National Green Tribunal’s Southern Bench, while an intervention application was reportedly not accepted.