Chennai Sets September Deadline to Complete Desilting and Drain Works Across City

Monitoring officers have been directed to ensure 100% completion of desilting and developmental works across all storm water drains, waterbodies, watercourses, and silt catch pits in all Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) zones by the end of September.

The directive was issued during a review meeting chaired by Additional Chief Secretary Gagandeep Singh Bedi on Saturday. Officials were instructed to pre-station high-capacity motor pumps in flood-prone, low-lying areas, rectify missing links in storm water drains, and clear blockages at outfalls and intersections where canals and rivers merge to maintain the unhindered flow of rainwater.

The state government has allocated Rs 100 crore for comprehensive precautionary measures. The funds cover storm water drain desilting, ward-level relief preparedness, road repairs and restoration, and the procurement and maintenance of heavy-duty motor pumps. The funding will also support the deployment of 1,000 seasonal workers, providing five workers to each of Chennai's 200 wards for monsoon-related duties.

According to an official release, desilting work is currently underway across 1,671 km of storm water drains and 1.1 lakh silt catch pits across the city. Heavy machinery, vehicles, motor pumps, and mechanised tree cutters have also been placed on standby.

Out of 207 vulnerable locations identified by the civic body, storm water drains have been constructed at 117 sites, while modular storage tanks fitted with high-capacity discharge pumps have been set up at 20 locations. Dedicated motor pumps have been stationed at 48 spots, and alternate engineered solutions have been implemented in the remaining vulnerable areas.

Community preparedness measures are also in place, with more than 1,000 general volunteers and 721 resident welfare association members mobilised to support civic efforts.