WRD to execute flood management project

The Water Resources Department is planning to implement a flood management project to prevent inundation of areas in the northern fringes of the city during monsoon.

Officials of the WRD — a wing of the Public Works Department — said that as part of the project the banks of Kosasthalaiyar river would be strengthened for 7 km from Napalayam bridge, upstream of Manali New Town, to the Ennore creek. Earthen bund with a width of 5 m would be constructed on one side of the bank as a measure to prevent flood waters from entering the nearby areas.

As the river’s carrying capacity is more, the width of the bund would be increased to 5 m as against the usual width of 1 to 2 m.

Nearly 75 per cent of the project cost of Rs.14.5 crore would be obtained as grant from the Central Water Commission, an organisation under the Ministry of Water Resources. The remaining cost would be funded by the PWD, an official said.

Nineteen places, including Manali New Town, Sadayankuppam, Mathur, Manjambakkam, Edayanchavadi and Vellivoyal, would benefit from the project. Technical clearance had been accorded for the project and it is expected to be approved shortly. Work is expected to begin in May or June and would be completed in a year, the official said.

Another project

Tender has been floated for another project under which the banks of Araniar river would be strengthened for 7 km near A.N. Kuppam anicut in Tiruvallur district. Further, flood banks would be strengthened for nearly 15 km from Lakshmipuram anicut to Pulicat creek.

As a result, inundation owing to monsoon rain could be avoided in about 30 villages in Gummidipoondi and Ponneri taluks.

A concrete retaining wall for a stretch of 140 m would be built at Perunkuppam village in Ponneri taluk as the area is located on the lower terrain. Work on the project worth Rs.12.41 crore would begin in April. It would be completed in a year, the official said.