Chennai Corporation to address missing stormwater drain links by October 2025

The long-pending issue of missing links in the city’s stormwater drain (SWD) network is soon to be addressed as the Greater Chennai Corporation will identify the gaps and work to fix them will commence in January 2025, said Commissioner, J. Kumaragurubaran.

The completion is targeted to be within ten months since work starts, that is October 2025 prior to the next year’s Northeast monsoon, he said. According to him, the GCC is planning to minimise the use of water pumping systems during heavy, continuous rain in the city.

There were several practical difficulties in fixing these issues amidst heavy rains in the past two months, he stated. “Before the next spell of Northeast monsoon in 2025, GCC will attempt to finish the missing links works,” he told The Hindu. Public can come forward to report in cases of missing drain facilities, which the civic body will review and work on.

Mr. Kumaragurubaran also said that the orders for tractor pump have been extended by 15 days anticipating inundation due to mild rains in the coming days. “If the machinery is dismantled, they will be transported to other districts. These will be transported elsewhere only in mid-January,” the Commissioner said.

Meanwhile, A. Francis, president of the Federation of Thoraipakkam Residents Welfare Associations, claimed there were no stormwater drains in Adhi Nagar under Perungudi Zone (XIV), and Sri Sai Nagar, Balaji Nagar and Egret Park in Sholinganallur Zone (XV). He added that the drains in Anandh Nagar need to be renovated as they were nearly a decade old. Complaints were filed with the GCC and action is awaited, he claimed.

D.Neelakannan, president, Federation of Madhavaram Residents’ Welfare Associations alleged that many areas under Madhavaram Zone (III) faced waterlogging even this year, but the severity was less compared to yesteryears. Yet, many areas still lacked SWD, he noted.

Residents also alleged on social media regarding missing drain links from several areas to Virugambakkam canal in Lambert Nagar, Aavin Pond and Alapakkam Lake; SVS Nagar pond and Aavin Pond in Valasaravakkam, and a water body close to Classic Farms in Sholinganallur that is missing a connection to the Perumbakkam marshland.