German development bank to fund drains

New storm water drains to cope with natural calamities in the city’s environmentally-sensitive areas like Pallikaranai marshland and also localities around Buckingham Canal will be commissioned with financial assistance from a German development bank, KfW.

The proposal is for a Rs. 143 crore project to construct drains in the South coast watershed of Kovalam basin in the city’s extended southern fringes. Kovalam basin has three watersheds— South coast, Pallikaranai and South Buckingham canal, officials explained. World Bank has already agreed to fund the project for construction of drains in Cooum and Adyar basins in the city.

Buckingham Canal played a great role, acting as a buffer and absorbing massive quantities of sea water from the Bay of Bengal during the tsunami of 2004.

Work on the South coast will begin three months after the State government gives its nod. KfW is expected to offer funding for a chunk of the Rs.1,407-crore project on development of 370 km of drains in 11,146 hectare of the catchment area in watersheds of Pallikaranai, South Buckingham Canal and the South coast.

“The modalities of the loan will be finalised shortly. The loan is being sourced through Department of Economic Affairs of the Government of India. The State government is sending the proposal,” said an official.

Study and education fund

The civic body will also avail itself of a ‘study and education fund’ of around Rs.8 crore for carrying out the study on the environment aspects of the project which involves integration of 16 lakes and tanks, including Narayanapuram, Puzhuthivakkam, Adambakkam, Madipakkam and Nesapakkam.

The land use in the southern part of the city includes 44 per cent of residential settlements, 13 per cent of waterbodies, 14 per cent industrial area and 29 percent of tree cover and grassland.

Work on coastal areas is expected to kick start in three months.

Design of drains in other areas of marshland and wetland will be finalised only after another round of environment and social impact study, said an official.