Residents of Manapakkam and Ramapuram may face less flooding as 2-km stretch of Adyar river here has undergone some improvements over the past few months.
The stetch of Adyar near Manapakkam was narrow due to several obstructions leading to massive flooding in neighbouring localities during the 2015 December deluge.
Officials of the Water Resources Department said the remains of pedestrian bridge, which was constructed to connect the administrative building and Officers’ Training Academy, has now been removed.
Huge pillars that supported the bridge obstructed the free flow of water. After removing them, the river’s width has increased from 45 metres to 130 metres now. The waterway can now carry up to 50,000 cubic feet per second, officials said.
However, the causeway has been retained for now as it would not hinder the river flow.
“We have suggested that OTA must build a high level bridge across the river. Once the project design and funds are ready, work will be started,” said an official.
Moreover, the height of the bund has been raised by two metres and the gaps in the bund provided to access neighbouring areas have been closed.
This would prevent spillover of floodwater on to residential colonies in Manapakkam.
Wall built
A retaining wall for a distance of 200 metres has also been built along vulnerable portion of the river.
While welcoming the initiatives of the Water Resources Department in improving the river, residents demanded that the work to build stormwater drains and connect it to Adyar river must be completed soon.
V. Nagarajan, a resident of Manapakkam, said, “We will have to wait until rainy season to check the effectiveness of the improvement works. The construction of stormwater drains has been progressing at a slow pace.”
