Delayed Stormwater Drain Work on Anna Nagar 2nd Avenue Raises Monsoon Flood Fears

Greater Chennai Corporation's incomplete stormwater drain project along Anna Nagar 2nd Avenue has triggered concerns among residents that the stretch could face severe inundation during the upcoming monsoon. The civic body dug up walkable pavements along the 3km stretch in January promising to make it flood-free, but work on the project remains unfinished, poorly executed, or abandoned eight months later.

The ₹17-crore project, designed to create a 4.2km drain network, has stalled despite work orders being issued in September last year. A key stretch near the Anna Nagar Tower Metro remains dug up and abandoned. Despite an existing drain with inlet points located 20 metres away at the metro entrance, the civic body began constructing another drain parallel to it on the road.

At several junctions, including Thirumangalam, 12th Avenue, and 13th Main Road, the newly laid drains remain disconnected. The corporation has not built silt catch pits or inlets to channel road runoff into the network, causing puddles from recent showers to stagnate on the carriageway.

The work has also created safety hazards across the corridor. The contractor pulled out Tangedco cables and left them exposed along the roadside, even where drain construction was marked complete. Near the Food Street on 2nd Avenue, damaged cables with sharp metal projections were left exposed to thousands of visitors.

K Shanthi, a resident from Anna Nagar Old Z Block on 13th Main Road, noted that the area outside Thirumangalam Metro previously experienced little flooding. She pointed out that twin drains were built in various shapes and sizes without removing obstructions, while damaged tiled pavements were replaced with concrete slabs lacking protective railings.

GCC Commissioner G S Sameeran said that only 50 metres of work on the south side, including a road crossing, remains pending. He stated that the Thirumangalam-Roundtana stretch has three electricity board gaps and one road crossing gap. Following a coordination meeting with Tangedco to shift pillar boxes, the contractor was instructed to permanently rectify a damaged underground power line, erect barricades, clear debris, and complete the work by September 15.