The Chennai Metro Rail has taken a host of measures to prevent any untoward incidents during the monsoon . Officials of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) said that in order to prevent trains capsizing in high velocity winds, an anemometer — a device that indicates the velocity of wind — has been installed at Chennai airport, Alandur and Koyambedu stations.
“If the wind speed is above 70 kmph but less than 90 kmph, the station controller will alert the traffic controller, who in turn will instruct train operators to restrict their speed to 40 kmph. But if the velocity is more than 90 kmph, the operators will be instructed to stop the trains,” an official said.
Since the tunnelling work is complete in most parts of the city, water will not enter tunnels. On the stretch between Government Estate and Gemini, where work in not complete yet, the construction openings have been protected with bunds. “The Nandanam canal, which was infringing on the Metro Rail work site, has been diverted by the construction of a new canal. The work has been completed and a clear channel is available for free water flow,” an official said.
De-watering mechanism
In the underground stations, pumps have been put in place. Also, seven underground stations and associated tunnels on the stretch between Thirumangalam and Nehru Park have de-watering mechanisms. “These stations have been constructed so as to prevent the entry of water. But in case water does enter, two pumps have been kept ready at each station,” he said.
Since the stormwater drain at the junction of Raja Muthiah Salai and EVR Periyar Salai is not located close to the Metro Rail work site, it remains unaffected by the underground work. “A portion of the stormwater drainage in the vicinity of Chennai Central Metro station that has been affected by work is being augmented with stand-by pumping arrangements.Where the continuity of the drainage system has been interrupted by the presence of the work area, pumps for discharging the water accumulated have been kept ready. Any excess water ingress in the area shall be tackled by the operation of site dewatering systems to prevent flooding situation within the work site,” an official said.
“All the stormwater drains at the depot in Koyambedu have been desilted. The water will drain into an artificial pond,” he said.
