For averting floods, the TN government takes this step
Posted on: 09/Sep/2019 10:03:27 AM
An amount of Rs 7.5 crores has been sanctioned by the state government for the purpose of clearing major canals and waterways so that the floods could be averted. It must be taken into account that just 2 months is present now for the northeast monsoon to set in.
As many as 41 pre monsoon works would be required to be carried out in the 3 major river basins in the city of Chennai and PWD has prepared a list for that. The point is it includes the Lower Palar basin in Kancheepuram, Araniyar basin and Kosasthalaiyar basin in Tiruvallur.
The various works listed out by public works department are removal of weeds and floating material from Velachery drainage canal, from surplus course of Nanmangalam, Kilkattalai, Sembakkam and Narayanapuram tank, from Perumbakkam surplus course. It also included de-silting of Thiruneermnalai surplus course to Adyar River, from Kalipattur Maduvu, from Sriperumbudur tank surplus course etc. Point that must not be forgotten is the previous promises to clear major canals prone to flooding have not been fulfilled till now and hence the residents and activists are not convinced.
It is shocking to note that at various spots in Chennai city portions of Adyar River and Buckingham Canal could be seen overflowing with garbage. Information gathered is the PWD had partially cleaned Virugambakkam Canal and Otteri Nullah and these are 2 other important waterways. It was pointed out by Mr. Haris Sultan of Arappor Iyakkam that the floating materials in the canal were removed by the earth movers and later dumped on the canal banks. He spoke about the cleaning up methods that were unscientific in nature.
An activist, Mr. Balaji commented about how PWD has been lethargic year after year regarding cleanup of water ways. He shed light on how estuary was not cleaned up regularly and smaller lakes like Ambattur and Velachery lakes were neglected.
