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Muttukadu boat house

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Muttukadu Boat House
முட்டுக்காடுப் படகுக் குழாம்
Muttukadu Boat House and backwaters
The boat house viewed from the ECR bridge in 2021
Map
General information
TypeBoating and water-sports facility
LocationMuttukadu, Thiruporur taluk, Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu, India
Coordinates12°48′21″N 80°14′31″E / 12.8058°N 80.2420°E / 12.8058; 80.2420
Opened1984
RenovatedJune 2009
OwnerTamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation
Website
ttdconline.com/boathouse/about

Muttukadu Boat House (முட்டுக்காடுப் படகுக் குழாம்) is a boating and water-sports facility on the East Coast Road (ECR) at Muttukadu in Thiruporur taluk, Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu, India. Situated on the Muttukadu backwaters near the Bay of Bengal, it is owned and operated by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC).[1]

Opened in 1984, the facility provides recreational boating and water-based activities. TTDC's current facilities include motor boats, water scooters and kayaks, together with dining and event facilities.[2]

Location and setting

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The boat house occupies part of the Muttukadu backwater system, a shallow coastal waterbody connected with the Bay of Bengal. Water levels and salinity vary with tidal exchange, rainfall and the condition of the connection between the backwaters and the sea.[1]

Backwaters at Muttukadu

The Buckingham Canal forms part of the wider Muttukadu backwater system. The South Buckingham Canal enters the Muttukadu Boat House backwater zone, where its waters spread into the estuarine system before communicating with the Bay of Bengal through the seasonal sea opening.[3]

History and development

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The boat house began operations in 1984 under TTDC.[1] In July 2009, the facility underwent a major renovation. A new lounge and bamboo structures were developed at a reported cost of ₹87 lakh, while a floating jetty was constructed for ₹12 lakh.[4] At the time, the boat house had 51 boats, including 27 mechanised boats.[4]

A further addition was the Seanz Cruise, a double-deck floating restaurant developed through a public–private partnership between TTDC and Grandeur Marine International at an estimated project cost of ₹5 crore.[5][6] It was inaugurated on 7 January 2025.[5]

The project was awarded for a ten-year operating period under a revenue-sharing arrangement in which TTDC receives 10 per cent of gross revenue. The state tourism policy note recorded more than 3,000 visitors to the floating restaurant during its first three months of operation.[5]

Facilities and tourism

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TTDC offers recreational boating at Muttukadu using motor boats, water scooters, kayaks and other watercraft. The complex also provides dining and event facilities.[2]

During the 2024–25 financial year, Muttukadu Boat House had 37 watercraft, received 2.20 lakh visitors (about 220,000) and generated ₹407.04 lakh (about ₹4.07 crore) in revenue.[5]

Muttukadu forms part of TTDC's Chennai–Mamallapuram tourism circuit and is included in its one-day Chennai–Mamallapuram tours.[7]

Transport and access

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The principal access is by ECR, which connects Muttukadu with Chennai to the north and Mamallapuram to the south. Metropolitan Transport Corporation bus services operate along the corridor and serve the Muttukadu area.[8]

There is no direct railway connection to the boat house; access from Chennai's suburban and rapid-transit networks requires onward road transport. Chennai International Airport is the nearest major airport.[9]

Environmental issues

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The recreational use of the boat house depends on water levels and water quality in the wider Muttukadu backwaters. In recent years, sewage inflow, shallow water and siltation have affected boating operations and tourism development.[10]

An investigation considered by the National Green Tribunal also reported encroachment and untreated sewage discharge affecting parts of the Muttukadu backwater system.[11]

By 2025, the boat house was attracting about 2,000 visitors on a typical weekend, although low water levels and pollution continued to affect some rides.[12]

Future connectivity

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In 2026, Chennai Metro Rail Limited began a feasibility study for a proposed 70-kilometre (43 mi) water-metro corridor between Ennore and Mamallapuram. Muttukadu was among the areas identified for possible service; the project remained at the feasibility-study stage as of September 2026.[13]

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See also

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References

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  1. 1 2 3 "Places of Interest". Chengalpattu District, Government of Tamil Nadu. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
  2. 1 2 "About TTDC Boat Houses". Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
  3. ↑ Final Detailed Project Report for Development of Navigation in Kakinada–Puducherry Canal along with Rivers Godavari and Krishna (PDF) (Report). Inland Waterways Authority of India. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
  4. 1 2 "New floating jetty at Muttukadu". The New Indian Express. 19 July 2009. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Policy Note 2025–2026 (Report). Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments Department, Government of Tamil Nadu. 2025. pp. 76–77, 88.
  6. ↑ "Seanz Cruise: TN's 1st floating restaurant open to public". The New Indian Express. 8 January 2025. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
  7. ↑ "Tour Packages". Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
  8. ↑ "Muttukkadu Boat House – Bus Services" (PDF). Metropolitan Transport Corporation. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
  9. ↑ "How to Reach". Chengalpattu District, Government of Tamil Nadu. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
  10. ↑ "Tamilnadu's Muttukadu backwaters faces sewage, water level challenges". The Times of India. 16 June 2024. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
  11. ↑ Joint Committee report concerning the Muttukadu backwaters (PDF) (Report). National Green Tribunal. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
  12. ↑ "Backwater tourism dream marred by murky waters". The Times of India. 22 November 2025. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
  13. ↑ Tejonmayam, U. (13 August 2026). "CMRL begins feasibility study for 70km 'Water Metro'". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
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