Muttukadu boat house

Muttukadu Boat House () 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).

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.

Location and setting

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.

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.

History and development

The boat house began operations in 1984 under TTDC. 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. At the time, the boat house had 51 boats, including 27 mechanised boats.

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. It was inaugurated on 7 January 2025.

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.

Facilities and tourism

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

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.

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

Transport and access

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.

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.

Environmental issues

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.

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

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.

Future connectivity

In 2026, Chennai Metro Rail Limited began a feasibility study for a proposed 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.

Gallery

Muttukadu boat house

Bron en licentie