GCC to build underground water sumps in Vyasarpadi to prevent monsoon flooding
The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is constructing underground water storage sumps and motor pump rooms in Vyasarpadi, Perambur, to prevent severe flooding and waterlogging ahead of the upcoming northeast monsoon. The infrastructure project will target flood-prone low-lying areas, specifically around Mullai Nagar near the Captain Cotton Canal and Good Shed Road.
As part of the initiative, the GCC is set to build a major underground sump with a water holding capacity of 5.4 lakh litres and a motor pump room at Mullai Nagar, near the Captain Cotton Canal, at an estimated cost of Rs 1.20 crore.
In addition, the corporation has planned two more sumps, each with a capacity of 2 lakh litres, near the Mullai Nagar burial ground and Good Shed Road. These areas fall under the Perambur assembly constituency. All works are expected to be completed before the arrival of the monsoon.
According to a corporation official, the decision to build these sumps followed a survey conducted after last year's northeast monsoon. The survey assessed the extent of flooding in low-lying areas by measuring the depth, width, and spread of waterlogging.
Based on those findings, the GCC decided to install the 5.4 lakh-litre underground storage sump at Mullai Nagar, along with a submersible motor pump equivalent to the capacity of a 400HP motor. This specific area experiences severe waterlogging when the Captain Cotton Canal reaches its maximum level.
Under the new system, the sumps will collect surplus water from the storm water drain network during heavy rains. Once the rainfall subsides and the water level in the Captain Cotton Canal decreases, the stored water will be pumped back into the canal. Officials state this mechanism will prevent major inundation and keep roads accessible to motorists.
As part of the flood mitigation efforts in the area, the railway pond at Old Goods Shed Road has also been expanded from 2.28 acres to nearly 10 acres to increase its water storage capacity. A 2-lakh-litre underground sump and pump system will be constructed near the burial ground along the road, which will connect to the nearby storm water drain network to prevent waterlogging in the surrounding areas.
