Aadhav Arjuna Reviews Chennai Monsoon Preparedness At Secretariat
On Thursday, the Minister for PWD and Highways, Aadhav Arjuna, chaired a high-level review meeting at the Secretariat in Chennai to assess the city's preparedness and ongoing infrastructure works ahead of the upcoming northeast monsoon. The meeting focused on expediting multi-crore drainage projects and coordinating emergency response measures across the metropolitan area.
During the session, the minister reviewed the progress of ongoing integrated stormwater drain projects in the Kosasthalaiyar and Kovalam basins. These projects include additional drain works valued at Rs 756.96 crore in Chennai, alongside canal improvement works worth Rs 295.25 crore.
According to updates from the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), improvement works on 21 of the city's 33 major canals have already been completed, while work continues on the remaining 12. Desilting operations are currently underway along 1,675 km of stormwater drains across 8,090 streets, costing Rs 22.55 crore. The GCC also reported that 68,281 of the city's 1,09,975 silt catch pits have been desilted so far.
To handle potential flood emergencies, the civic body has prepared 215 relief centres with standby boats. Furthermore, the GCC has mobilised 1,215 volunteers and partnered with 721 resident welfare associations to assist during crises.
The Integrated Command and Control Centre at Ripon Buildings will monitor the city round the clock. The facility is equipped to track weather and inundation levels using 40 flood gauges, 55 rain gauges, and 17 subway boom barriers.
Minister Aadhav directed officials to complete all pending works before the onset of the monsoon. This includes completing 1,128 metres of missing drain links across 115 locations. He also instructed officials to keep medical teams and necessary medicines ready, and to respond promptly to public complaints via the GCC’s 1913 helpline.
Notably, Chennai Mayor R Priya did not attend Thursday's meeting. However, she had chaired a separate review meeting with GCC officials on Wednesday at Ripon Buildings.
