Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary M Sai Kumar has directed departments and agencies to complete ongoing northeast monsoon preparedness works in Chennai by September 30. He also called for closer coordination among the Greater Chennai Corporation, Water Resources Department, Highways Department, Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) and Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) to ensure the projects are completed on time.
The Chief Secretary issued the directions during an inspection of stormwater drainage, canal renovation and water-hyacinth removal works across Adyar, Perungudi and Sholinganallur.
Stormwater Drain Work Near TIDEL Park
In Adyar, M Sai Kumar inspected an ongoing stormwater drain project near TIDEL Park. The project, estimated at Rs 13.52 crore, is designed to channel rainwater from the IIT area towards Buckingham Canal.
The inspection focused on the progress of the drainage infrastructure and its preparedness ahead of the northeast monsoon. Officials were instructed to speed up the work and ensure that the project meets the September 30 deadline.
Canal Renovation and Lake Cleaning in Perungudi
The Chief Secretary next reviewed canal improvement works in Mylai Balaji Nagar in Ward 188 of Perungudi.
A 235-metre-long and 13-metre-wide canal stretch in the first block is being renovated at a cost of Rs 6.48 crore. Another section measuring 207 metres in length and 14.40 metres in width in the fourth block is being improved under an Rs 8.68-crore project.
Sai Kumar also inspected water-hyacinth removal work at Narayanapuram Lake in Ward 189. The cleaning work is aimed at improving the water body’s capacity to handle rainfall during the monsoon.
Rs 73-Crore Drain Project on OMR
In Sholinganallur, the Chief Secretary inspected a major stormwater drain project being implemented by the Highways Department at Thoraipakkam on Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) in Ward 193.
The project, costing Rs 73 crore, is intended to improve the movement of rainwater from the Pallikaranai marshland towards Buckingham Canal.
CMRL-related works are also being carried out in the area. Sai Kumar directed the departments involved to work in coordination so that their activities do not delay the drainage project or affect Chennai’s preparations for the northeast monsoon.
The inspections come as Chennai steps up preparations ahead of the northeast monsoon, with drainage capacity, canal maintenance and removal of obstructions being prioritised across vulnerable areas.
