Tamil Nadu Forms Expert Panel for Thamaraikani Tank Protection

The Tamil Nadu government has informed the Madras High Court of the formation of an expert body tasked with preventing further encroachments on the Thamaraikani tank in Sholinganallur, Chennai. The decision was communicated on Friday, August 14, 2026.

The court was previously hearing a public interest litigation initiated in 2019 by the anti-corruption organization Arappor Iyakkam. The lawsuit initially targeted the construction of a police station building on the waterbody, but the petitioner later expanded its scope to demand the removal of all encroachments and the restoration of the tank.

Thamaraikani tank, originally spanning 13.47 hectares and serving irrigation for approximately 250 acres, is part of the Periya Eri water system. The government acknowledged that significant encroachments by both private and government entities have occurred, including a police station, an electricity sub-station, an Aavin milk factory, and a government school. The court has previously stayed the inauguration of the police station building.

The Additional Advocate General stated that the government has demarcated the remaining boundaries of the waterbody. The newly formed expert committee will propose strategies to protect the tank from future encroachments. The court has granted the government four weeks to submit a detailed status report and has directed the expert body to consider suggestions from the petitioner organization.