As the monsoon approaches, concerns are mounting over potential flooding along several stretches of Rajiv Gandhi Salai in Chennai. With the vital drainage repairs still pending, many areas are bracing for excess water accumulation. Sources from the Highways Department have confirmed that critical problem spots were identified during last year’s rainfall. Specifically, the stormwater drains running from the IT corridor to Buckingham Canal are situated at a higher elevation than the Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) at key intersections, including Nehru Nagar, Karapakkam, Kandachavady, and Apollo Hospital junction. This disparity causes stormwater from many interior neighborhoods to overflow onto OMR, exacerbating flooding.
The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has been assigned the responsibility of either constructing new drains or lowering the existing ones. At crucial points like IGP bus stop and Nehru Nagar, the drain is reportedly 40 cm above OMR, necessitating corrective action over a stretch of 250 meters. Unfortunately, no significant work has commenced at these locations. Furthermore, at Kandachavady, efforts to lower the stormwater drain along Veeramani Salai have only just started. A large diesel-powered pump has been installed to address water accumulation, but challenges remain.
A retired Highways official highlighted the complexities of this undertaking. “Utility lines, including electricity mains and water pipes, run through service roads and interior lanes. Relocating these will be quite challenging. With street lamp posts also obstructing progress, completing the necessary work before the onset of the monsoon seems improbable,” he stated.
At Apollo Hospital junction, plans to construct a new cross culvert are in the pipeline, as connection to an existing drain in Burma Colony is not feasible. Instead, the new drainage line is set to be routed through Santhosh Nagar; however, this project has yet to commence. Additionally, work to reduce the height of a drain at Karapakkam remains untouched as preparations continue.
While these crucial drainage works lag behind schedule, the Highways Department has made progress elsewhere. They’ve successfully connected and desilted drains at Tidel Park, SRP Tools, and Egattur, providing some relief to those areas.
Concerned residents like Anandan of Karapakkam have expressed frustration over the long-standing flooding issues. “OMR has faced flooding since its inception. Key locations such as YMCA and RRE used to experience intense water flow. Over the years, the interior roads have been elevated, causing runoff to cascade onto OMR. Meanwhile, OMR’s height was increased, resulting in several streets becoming lower. This highlights the lack of coordination and planning among various agencies,” he lamented.
As Chennai gears up for the rainy season, timely action and effective drainage solutions will be critical to mitigate flooding risks along the busy Rajiv Gandhi Salai. The community watches closely, hoping for swift progress to safeguard both infrastructure and residents alike.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/with-storm-water-drains-remaining-above-omr-flooding-could-happen-this-year-too/article69961720.ece
Category : Chennai
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Publish Date: 2025-08-23 00:56:00
