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Chennai, Oct 16 (IANS) As the first northeast monsoon rains begin to fall in Chennai, concerns are rising over incomplete storm water drainage (SWD) works across the city, which threaten to impact flood-mitigation efforts.
Despite repeated assurances from the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), crucial desilting and drain laying projects remain incomplete, leaving residents in many areas facing waterlogging and traffic disruption.
The situation has become very tense in Kumaran Colony of Saidapet. Work on a major storm water drain along Kumaran Colony 1st Street was suddenly stopped for about two weeks due to a change in the alignment plan.
The decision to shift the drain from one side of the road to the other following objections citing proximity to houses and borewells has further delayed the progress. The timing of the resumption of work, coinciding with the onset of rains, has increased the frustration of residents, as the busy road leading to Aranganathan Subway and Old Mambalam Road remains blocked.
The delay has also hit small businesses hard. Local shop owners and mechanics have seen a drop in footfall as the area remains closed due to ongoing work. Many have expressed apprehension that a hasty attempt to complete the work before the rains could compromise the quality and durability of the drains, creating new maintenance problems later on.
Corporation engineers confirmed that all road cutting work has been completed and assured that the remaining portion of the drain will be finished soon. However, the haste with which the project is being completed has not allayed public apprehensions.
Similar complaints have come to light elsewhere in the city. On Konnur High Road, the ongoing SWD construction has narrowed the traffic lanes, leading to persistent congestion and there are fears that even light rains may disrupt movement in the Ayanavaram area.
SWD department officials say no new work has been started and the focus is on completing the ongoing projects safely by using barricades to prevent accidents. Yet, with the monsoon set to begin and construction of major drains still underway, Chennai faces another test of its preparedness – one that will determine whether extensive investments in flood control can withstand the first true rains of the season.
–IANS
AL/DPB