As the northeast monsoon is approaching, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has begun flood control works at 120 spots across the city. The civic body is deploying hundreds of motor pumps and speeding up storm water drain (SWD) projects.Officials said that vulnerable areas in north Chennai like Kodungaiyur, Vyasarpadi, Kolathur, and Perambur are being given priority. In south Chennai, areas such as Velachery and Pallikaranai will also receive special focus. To prepare for the rains, GCC has already distributed 500 dewatering tractor motor pumps across all 15 zones.
Rajeswari, GCCâs chief engineer (general), said that mitigation work has been intensified. She assured that there would not be major water stagnation during the monsoon. To manage the workload, contractors have been asked to double their manpower. Soon, 150 additional motor pumps will be stationed in flood-prone areas. Tenders have been floated and work orders issued.
A.S. Murugan, superintendent engineer (SWD), said the civic body is expediting storm water drain works. So far, construction of 246 km of drains has been completed in three packages. About 90 km of work is still pending in two packages.
However, some residents feel the measures may not be enough. They say that tractor pumps alone cannot solve flooding issues in several parts of Chennai.