Incomplete civic works hit monsoon readiness in some areas across Chennai

A number of neighbourhoods in the city are not prepared for the onset of the Northeast monsoon owing to incomplete civic infrastructure projects.

At a meeting with Mayor R. Priya on Tuesday, officials pointed to incomplete projects in areas such as Korattur, Ganesapuram, Saidapet, Parangusapuram, and neighbourhoods along Anna Salai and Arcot Road. Deputy Mayor Mu. Magesh Kumaar said alternative arrangements had been proposed in many areas, such as Besant Road, P.S. Sivasamy Salai, Saidapet Govindan Road, Ganesapuram, Perungudi, and Sholinganallur, because of incomplete infrastructure projects.

Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) Commissioner G.S. Sameeran said: “The cut-and-cover drain work from East Avenue to Padi is in full swing. The GCC plans to have a dedicated drain from East Avenue and from Kiran Palace to Imayam Colony for a total length of 2.5 km. As of now, 2.1 km work has been completed. Efforts are on to complete the remaining 400 metres on CTH Road in another 15 days.”

In the event of a delay in completion of the project by October 15, the GCC plans to deploy additional heavy duty pumps to bail out water during the rain. “Two 100-HP pumps will be set up at the junction of Korattur signal and East Avenue Road. These will send the rainwater to the Lucas TVS front gate, where a highway drain is available. From there, the water will be sent to the new drain near Park Road, from where it will reach the zero point of Otteri Nullah,” Dr. Sameeran said.

Debris in Cooum

As residents have also complained about National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) delaying the removal of debris from the Cooum, the GCC has persuaded the authority to expedite work. “We have instructed the NHAI to remove all debris and temporary structures from the Cooum by October 15. Currently, they have removed nearly 70%,” the GCC Commissioner said.

“Regarding the ongoing Metro Rail work, a technical committee, comprising chief engineers of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) and officials of the GCC, Highways and Water Resources Departments, has been formed, and its members jointly visited all the work sites of CMRL and suggested mitigation measures such as pump and sump arrangements, temporary earthen channels, and D-wall modifications. The GCC and CMRL have made arrangements accordingly,” he said.

Work was carried out at 60 sites of CMRL as part of monsoon preparedness across the city.  “All culverts across 44 canals have been desilted using six robotic excavators, five float excavators, three amphibious excavators, 40 skid steer loaders. End-to-end desilting has been completed in major canals such as the Kodungaiyur, Padikuppam, and Trustpuram canals. Over 85% of the Otteri Nullah has been desilted. Over 80% of the work on Virugambakkam Canal has been completed. The rest of the work is under way,” Dr. Sameeran added.