Day 4: monsoon exposes chinks in civic infrastructure

Many key stretches experienced heavy waterlogging despite the Corporation commissioning new structures to drain water.

Residents kept civic officials on their toes on Saturday, calling in to report 442 cases of civic problems resulting from waterlogging. According to Chennai Corporation sources, residents of 248 neighbourhoods reported water stagnation. There were four reported cases of tree falls.

Considering the heavy rains did not last long, it is surprising that complaints were flying thick and fast.

Vijayanagar-Velachery, Maduvankarai in Guindy Race Course, Sterling Road in Nungambakkam, G.N. Chetty Road in T. Nagar and Basin Bridge were areas from where complaints were received often.

Despite the Corporation commissioning new structures to drain water on these roads, maintenance of chambers in new pipelines installed along them – Sterling Road being a classic example – remains a challenge for zonal level staff. The Corporation was unable to commission new drains on such roads due to the presence of other civic utilities underneath.

Minister for Municipal Administration S.P. Velumani and Mayor Saidai Duraisamy visited Santhome, Anna Nagar and Kodungaiyur to inspect measures taken to reduce water stagnation and improve public health. Fewer cases of water stagnation were reported on 191 bus routes developed by Chennai Corporation for the Global Investors’ Meet. Most of the water stagnation was reported from 52 km of highway roads and 33,374 km of interior roads. Motorists crossing Poonamallee High Road near the Police Commissioner Office, Koyambedu junction, Porur Junction on Arcot Road, OTA on GST Road, Vysarpadi subway, YMCA, EGA Theatre and Iswarya Mandapam in Koyambedu reported severe waterlogging. Highways and Chennai Corporation used pumpsets to bale out water in such areas.

Paper Mills Road and key stretches in Besant Nagar and Sastri Nagar reported reduced water stagnation owing to rainwater harvesting structures commissioned in the past few months.

Stretches including Demellows Road in Choolai reported reduced water stagnation due to super sucker machines. Such roads used to report severe water stagnation in the past. The Corporation used 43 super sucker machines, 60 jet-rodding machines and 150 desilting machines.

The Corporation plans to ask educational institutions on stretches such as Santhome High Road to commission rainwater harvesting structures to prevent waterlogging.