Chennai, Sept 24:
With the northeast monsoon approaching, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has stepped up efforts to complete storm water drain works across the city. Officials said around 1,314 km of the planned 1,385-km drainage network has been completed, taking the overall progress to nearly 95%.
The remaining works are targeted for completion by the end of September. Various storm water drainage projects taken up since 2022 have involved an estimated investment of ₹6,066.80 crore.
The Kosasthalaiyar Basin drainage project, funded by the Asian Development Bank, is nearing completion, with 651.10 km of the planned 652.40 km network completed at a cost of ₹3,059 crore. Under the KfW-funded Kovalam Basin project, 272.80 km of the proposed 310-km network has been completed, leaving 37.20 km. Capital Fund projects have covered 120.10 km of the planned 131.70 km, with an expenditure of ₹470.50 crore.
The Arcot Road storm water drain project remains among the major pending works. Only 7.20 km of the planned 18 km has been completed under the ₹103-crore project. The stretch has been divided into 18 packages, with officials saying traffic restrictions have limited construction activity to between midnight and 4 am.
The drainage network is intended to divert rainwater towards the Virugambakkam Canal and Cooum River, while another section will carry water through Porur towards the Adyar River. The GCC has also planned high-capacity pumps as a contingency measure around Porur and near Metro stations between Porur and Nandambakkam.
Despite the progress, missing links between completed drains remain a concern. Around 105 locations have been identified where connections are missing, with work completed at 37 locations and pending at 68. Residents have also flagged missing connections in areas including Jai Hind Nagar, Sannathi Street, Adi Dravidar Colony, Erneshwarar Nagar, Bajanai Koil Street and Mettu Street.
As part of its monsoon preparedness, the GCC has identified 219 vulnerable areas, including parts of OMR and ECR that have experienced flooding in previous years. The Corporation has inspected 215 relief centres and kept more than 1,320 motor pumps ready for emergency water removal. It has 38 boats of its own, while additional boats have been arranged through the Fisheries Department and local fishermen.
The Water Resources Department is also undertaking desilting at major river mouths and waterways, including the Kosasthalaiyar, Cooum, Adyar and Kovalam basins. Desilting is also being carried out in water bodies and waterways including the Adyar, Cooum and Buckingham Canal to improve water flow ahead of the northeast monsoon.