Damage to new stormwater drains constructed under JNNURM (Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission) by government agencies and departments has led to waterlogging in many areas.
The Chennai Corporation had constructed a stormwater drain measuring 3 metres in width and 2 metres in height near Mundakakanniammankoil MRTS station a few years ago under JNNURM funds. The drain was constructed just 12 metres near another old arch drain that remained a key disposal point along the Buckingham Canal. Ahead of the launch of the JNNURM-funded project in 2009, the Corporation had claimed that the old arch drain was not adequate to drain water from areas such as Radhakrishnan Salai, Gopalapuram, DMS, Anna Flyover, Royapettah and DGP office.
A new disposal point near Mundakakanniammankoil was crucial for reducing waterlogging in such areas. But the new drain was closed by the MRTS contractor during the construction of the MRTS station near Mundakakanniammankoil a few years ago. Neither the Railways nor the Chennai Corporation cleared the drain.
Emergency measures
At least 324 locations have been affected by waterlogging, pointing to the failure of the Corporation and other line agencies. Each of such failures has only led to interventions that have weakened the existing infrastructure in the long term. Similar to the measures taken in the previous monsoon, Chennai Corporation employees have damaged existing stormwater drains to pump out water from many waterlogged areas. The civic body had to damage the stormwater drain near Boat Club to remove water in stretches such as Chamiers Road as the old arch drains in the area are clogged. “We had to demolish a small portion of stormwater drain to pump water to the Buckingham Canal in the vicinity,” said an official of Chennai Corporation.
Following a review meeting on Monday, Municipal Administration Minister S.P. Velumani said Chennai Corporation was using excavators to reduce water stagnation in 83 locations. Many of such excavators have damaged existing civic infrastructure.
According to sources, most of the assistant engineers in the 200 wards of Chennai Corporation and the executive engineers concerned in various neighbourhoods do not have adequate understanding of the existing infrastructure and the challenges in draining out stormwater. Officials stressed on the need for conducting training sessions for junior engineers, executive engineers and corporation employees such as road workers, assistants and malaria control workers.
New projects
The Corporation is planning to link 74 water bodies in Kosasthalaiyar basin to reduce waterlogging in north Chennai with assistance from Asian Development Bank. Smart meters will monitor the stormwater flow in all the waterbodies. Work on reducing waterlogging in Villivakkam by improving stormwater network around Villivakkam Tank will also be taken up. A stakeholders meeting was organised on Monday.