Inundation during severe rains and flood may become a thing of the past if the Chennai Corporation’s proposal to construct new and improve old stormwater drain network in Chennai comes to fruition.
The Rs 2,518-crore project proposes to build over 763 kms of stormwater drains in parts of Anna Nagar, Ambattur, Thiru Vi Ka Nagar zones and Manali, Madhavaram, Thiruvottiyur zones taking the total length to 868 kms, including the existing stormwater drains.
The project will have a total of 12 watershed areas and will also involve the restoration of 55 minor water bodies in the basin. The Ambattur, Korattur, Retteri and Sadayankuppam lakes which span 1109 acres, will also be restored to ensure better water retention and increase groundwater levels.
The Department of Economic Affairs has approved Chennai Corporation’s proposal to construct stormwater drains in the Kosasthalaiyar Basin. The proposal has been forwarded to the Asian Development Bank for financial assistance. If accepted, works can begin within a year’s time.
Meanwhile, residents of Anna Nagar West Extension and Mugappair want their longstanding demand to hasten the concrete canal laying work taken up nearly 10 months back by the Chennai Corporation to connect the stormwater drains in the neighborhood to the Cooum.