Tiruchi Corporation steps up desilting ahead of northeast monsoon

Tiruchi Corporation has stepped up desilting of major canals and stormwater drains across all five zones of the city to prevent flooding and ensure smooth flow of rainwater.

A sum of ₹3.18 crore has been allocated for the exercise. Desilting has commenced along 215.74 km of channels such as Nattu Vaikkal, Samba Vaikkal, Kottai Vaikkal, Rettai Vaikkal, Kathari Vaikkal, Kaathan Vaikkal and Uyyakondan canal.

The works also cover major stormwater drains on Venice Street, North Andar Street, Butterworth Road, Madhura Garden, S.S. Nagar, Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, Poosari Street, Vasantha Nagar, Selva Nagar and Virupakshipuram, besides drains in the interior parts of the city.

Of the total stretch, 136.80 km will be desilted manually and 78.94 km using machinery. Modern desilting machines and excavators are being deployed to remove accumulated silt and water hyacinth from wider canals and drains. Smaller stormwater drains in residential areas and narrow interior roads, where machinery cannot be deployed, are being desilted manually.

Corporation Commissioner N. Ponmani inspected the desilting work being carried out along a 1,270-metre stretch from Thangeswari Nagar to Ganesapuram in Ward 44 of Zone III.

She instructed officials to complete the work before the onset of the northeast monsoon and ensure the uninterrupted flow of rainwater.