Cooum riverfront greening: GCC to plant 13,000 saplings along 1.7 km stretch
Synopsis
The Greater Chennai Corporation is putting ₹50 lakh into planting more than 13,000 saplings along a 1.7 km Cooum riverfront stretch near Napier Bridge — a compact but telling pilot that could determine how seriously the city takes its long-promised riverfront revival.
Key Takeaways
Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has floated tenders for a ₹50 lakh greening project on the Cooum riverfront .
More than 13,000 saplings will be planted across a 1.7 km stretch near Napier Bridge and the river mouth.
Proposed species include Clerodendrum , Nerium , and hybrid shrubs, alongside flowering plants.
Supporting infrastructure includes borewell drilling , pumps, fencing, and structural repairs to compound walls and gates.
Saplings will be maintained for one year under the contract; visible transformation expected within six months .
The bund on the left side of Napier Bridge may be developed as a community space .
The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is set to launch a ₹50 lakh greening initiative along a 1.7 km stretch of the Cooum riverfront in Chennai, with tenders already floated for the pilot project that will see more than 13,000 saplings planted near Napier Bridge and the river mouth. The initiative marks one of the more focused urban greening efforts undertaken along the long-neglected Cooum corridor.
Project Scope and Coverage
The pilot spans two sections: a 1.2 km stretch between Napier Bridge and Periyar Bridge along Sivanandha Salai, and a further 0.5 km segment extending from Napier Bridge toward the river estuary. Proposed plant species include Clerodendrum, Nerium, and hybrid shrubs, alongside flowering plants intended to visually transform the riverbank.
Infrastructure to Support the Plantation
The project goes beyond simple planting. According to Corporation officials, it will include borewell drilling, water supply arrangements, pumps, pressure compensators, and fencing to sustain the landscaped areas. Structural works such as compound wall repairs, cement concreting, plastering, brickwork, and enamel painting of grill gates are also outlined in the tender documents. Coconut-thatched roofing and booster pressure pump installation are among the additional components listed.
Timeline and Maintenance Plan
A senior GCC official said the saplings would be maintained for one year under the contract, ensuring regular upkeep beyond the initial planting stage. Officials expect flowering plants on either side of Napier Bridge to begin visibly transforming the surroundings within six months of work commencing. Clearing of overgrown vegetation and preparatory excavation will precede the main planting activities.
Community and Urban Impact
The existing vegetation and bund on the left side of Napier Bridge along Sivanandha Salai could also be repurposed as a community space, adding a public-use dimension to the project. The initiative is designed to offer a more attractive environment for motorists and pedestrians passing through the area. This comes amid broader civic interest in revitalising Chennai's waterfronts, with the Cooum having long been associated with encroachment and pollution challenges. The pilot's relatively compact corridor — combining irrigation, planting, and structural repairs — will test whether a coordinated facelift can serve as a replicable model for the wider river stretch.
Point of View
Untreated sewage inflow, and neglect — dwarf what saplings and painted walls can fix. The value of this project lies less in its scale and more in whether the one-year maintenance clause is actually enforced; past urban greening drives in Indian cities have often stalled at the planting stage. If GCC can demonstrate sustained upkeep and convert the bund into a genuinely usable community space, it may build the civic case for a larger, better-funded riverfront corridor plan.
NationPress
15 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the GCC Cooum riverfront greening project?
It is a ₹50 lakh pilot initiative by the Greater Chennai Corporation to plant more than 13,000 saplings along a 1.7 km stretch of the Cooum riverfront near Napier Bridge. Tenders have already been floated for the project, which also includes irrigation infrastructure and structural repairs.
Which areas does the project cover?
The project covers two sections: a 1.2 km stretch between Napier Bridge and Periyar Bridge along Sivanandha Salai, and a 0.5 km stretch from Napier Bridge toward the river estuary.
What plants will be used in the Cooum riverfront project?
The project proposes Clerodendrum, Nerium, and hybrid shrubs, along with flowering plants on either side of Napier Bridge. Officials expect the flowering vegetation to begin transforming the surroundings within six months of work starting.
How long will the saplings be maintained?
Under the contract terms, the saplings will be maintained for one year after planting, ensuring regular upkeep beyond the initial plantation stage.
Will the Cooum riverfront project include any public spaces?
Yes, according to the project outline, the existing vegetation and bund on the left side of Napier Bridge along Sivanandha Salai could be developed into a community space, adding a public-use dimension to the riverfront improvements.
