Dredging of Buckingham canal gains pace amid monsoon

The dredging of the Buckingham Canal, one of Chennai’s most crucial waterways, is progressing swiftly at a cost of ₹31 crore, with the monsoon accelerating the pace of work. The 7.3-km stretch within city limits is currently being desilted and beautified, and officials have confirmed that 6.50 km of dredging has already been completed. As part of the restoration project, the government plans to plant pollution-absorbing plants along the canal banks. These plants are expected to filter toxins, improve water quality, and help revive the long-neglected waterway. Once a key inland navigation route built by the British during the famine era, Buckingham Canal has suffered decades of degradation due to rampant encroachments and unchecked sewage inflow. Several stretches have been lost to residential developments, leading to severe flooding during monsoons. Social activists have consistently demanded meaningful restoration measures and strict action against sewage discharge. Although funds had been allocated earlier, a large-scale dredging initiative has begun only now—four years after the DMK government took office. Officials say the current work aims to revive the canal’s ecological balance and reduce flooding risks in the surrounding areas. @@