CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu govt has increased the allocation for the municipal administration and water supply (MAWS) department to Rs 29,863 crore in the 2026-27 budget, up from Rs 26,678 crore last year, while unveiling an ambitious plan to revive Chennai’s polluted waterways under a comprehensive urban development programme.Presenting the budget on Wednesday, the finance minister announced that the long-polluted Cooum and Adyar rivers would be restored through global tenders, with a detailed project report (DPR) to be prepared. The govt said the restoration would draw inspiration from successful riverfront transformations in cities such as Seoul and Singapore.He said successive govt spent hundreds of crores on restoring the two rivers, which continue to remain heavily polluted by sewage and encroachments.The govt also proposed strengthening flood walls along the city’s major waterways to improve their carrying capacity and reduce flooding during the monsoon.As part of the newly announced chief minister’s Comprehensive Urban Development Scheme, the minister said it would integrate key civic development initiatives under a single umbrella programme.The budget also announced plans to develop the Ambattur and Guindy industrial estates besides announcing parking improvement in 20 locations.
