The project to construct a channel on Third Avenue in Anna Nagar to divert flood water from Otteri Nullah to Cooum river will draw to a close in a month.
The project, which was started two years ago to prevent water-logging in Anna Nagar, has reached a crucial stage as the concrete channel is set to be linked with the Cooum river. Large machines are being deployed to carry out the work on the busy arterial road connecting traffic from Anna Nagar and Mogappair to Poonamallee High Road.
The channel will take a slight curve so as to be linked to the Cooum river near K3 police station on the Third Avenue. Officials of the Water Resources Department, which is implementing the Rs. 18-crore project, said the challenge is getting the culvert to pass through 10 utility lines, including a large water supply pipeline and several high-tension electricity cables.
“We are digging a seven-metre-deep trench to construct the channel without disturbing the utility lines. We plan to complete the work in the 50-metre stretch by this month-end,” said an official.
Another challenge is the limited road space on the arterial road. Vehicle pile-ups frequently occur as motorists have to travel on the same lane due to the ongoing work. S. Kiran, a resident of Anna Nagar, said it is difficult to cross the stretch, particularly during night hours as there is little illumination.
