Chennai Corporation Allocates Rs 100 Crore for Northeast Monsoon Preparations
The Greater Chennai Corporation has allocated Rs 100 crore to execute comprehensive precautionary measures across Chennai ahead of the upcoming Northeast Monsoon and El Nino phenomenon. The decision was finalised during a recent review meeting chaired by Corporation Commissioner G S Sameeran, a senior civic official said on Sunday.
During the meeting, Commissioner Sameeran instructed officials across various service departments to coordinate closely and ensure all preparatory tasks are completed by the end of September. The involved agencies include the Water Resources Department, Highways Department, Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation, Chennai Metro Rail Limited, and Southern Railway.
As part of the financial allocation, Rs 22.46 crore has been earmarked for desilting stormwater drains spanning a total length of 1,671 kilometres across the city. Additionally, Rs 10 crore has been sanctioned directly to local administrative units, providing Rs 5 lakh per ward to carry out localised disaster mitigation measures.
To address infrastructure needs, the Corporation has set aside Rs 22 crore for region-wise tenders focused on repairing and restoring damaged road stretches. Another Rs 26.53 crore has been designated through tenders to hire and deploy heavy-duty pumping equipment in low-lying areas, comprising 150 units of 100 HP pumps and 500 tractor-mounted pumps.
The civic body has also sanctioned Rs 4.65 crore to employ temporary personnel to manage pumps and water storage tanks, with plans to engage over 1,000 additional workers for monsoon-related emergency tasks. Furthermore, Rs 15 lakh has been allotted to conduct aerial drone surveys of canals to detect obstruction points and assist clearance efforts.
To support relief operations, approximately Rs 60 lakh has been allocated to purchase 15,000 emergency kits filled with essential commodities for distribution to flood-affected families.
