The water resources development authorities are doing everything to ensure widening of Cooum waterway ahead of northeast monsoon. Encroachment by commercial establishments along Cooum near Thiruverkadu is currently being removed despite stiff resistance from residents.

Hotels and hardware shops are among the 20 commercial establishments that have been removed. Close to 50 structures have been identified to have encroached the river bed and the officials are working on identifying more such structures.

The residents of Shanmuga Nagar and Perumal Koil Street, which are located on either side of the river in Thiruverkadu resisted the eviction drive and it had to be stopped temporarily.