ECR stormwater drain project faces flak after region reports no flooding

CHENNAI: The residential areas between Kottivakkam and Uthandi on the seaward side of East Coast Road (ECR) reported zero flooding or waterlogging despite receiving record rains for the past few days. This development gains significance as the Greater Chennai Corporation proposed the controversial Integrated Storm Water Drain (ISWD) project for this area a few years ago.    

At a time, when Chennai is drowning, life remains unaffected in the ECR areas. The presence of sandy soil and a natural freshwater aquifer, which soaks up rainwater, made that possible. Then, the question remains: why is the Corporation so eager to build stormwater drains here spending hundreds of crores of taxpayers’ money?

CM on Tuesday said an inquiry would be launched into irregularities that took place under the Smart Cities Mission scheme in Chennai during the AIADMK regime. An advocate and resident of Kapaleeshwarar Nagar, V Suresh, said the government should investigate the necessity and feasibility of this stormwater drain project. Suresh represented several resident welfare associations who opposed the ISWD project moving the southern bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and obtained a stop-work order. 

TNIE visited several residential localities from Palavakkam to Uthandi on Monday, a day after an unprecedented downpour. Hardly any waterlogging, except for stagnation in some open plots, could be spotted.

Environment disaster 
As per the Second Master Plan 2026 of Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, the areas of Kottivakkam, Palavakkam, Neelankarai, Okkiamthuraipakkam, Injambakkam, Karapakkam, Sholinganallur, and Uthandi fall within the region classified as ‘Aquifer Recharge Zone’. The beaches from Kottivakkam to Kovalam have also been classified as Olive Ridley turtles’ nesting sites.

Turtle nesting sides, as per the CRZ Notification, 2011, are ecologically-sensitive areas. As per the design, the ISWD will be connected to 27 outfalls along the coast, where they will end on the beach for the excess water to be discharged into the sea. This would bring all the trash and pollutants while eroding the beaches, said a resident of Seacliff in Akkarai.  

A Chennai Corporation official told TNIE the project is currently on hold due to a stop-work order from TN State Coastal Zone Management Authority and an NGT order. “We also received objections from the resident welfare associations. A decision will be taken after due deliberations.” 

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