The WRD would remove obstructions to free flow of floodwater in major waterways and look to complete the work in two months. (FIle)
| Photo Credit: B. VELANKANNI RAJ
In an effort to improve Chennai’s flood resilience, the Water Resources Department (WRD) plans to begin a series of short-term projects to rehabilitate water bodies and remove bottlenecks in waterways, ahead of the Northeast monsoon.The department has proposed about 20 flood mitigation projects in Chennai basin for implementation during this financial year. With the major works expected to take a few months to commence after the Tamil Nadu Assembly approves the Budget, the department has proposed to implement schemes on priority as a special drive.Sources in the WRD said the department has proposed projects to the State government at an estimated cost of ₹400 crore. While the major schemes await government nod, the department would carry out works to reduce flooding under the State Disaster Mitigation Fund.Works would be carried out to remove bottlenecks obstructing free flow of floodwater in major waterways, including the Cooum. Flood protection walls would be built along waterways, including the Araniyar and South Buckingham Canal, to prevent inundation in surrounding localities. For instance, old causeways and bridges across the Cooum river as in Adayalampattu and on Avadi-Poonamallee Road would be dismantled.There are also plans to rehabilitate water bodies and strengthen flood management infrastructure by building flood regulators. As part of its strategy of controlled water release, the department plans to lower storage through flood regulators ahead of heavy rainfall. Water bodies, including Pilaipakkam and Pondur Periya Eri in Sriperumbudur taluk and a few water bodies in Avadi, have been identified for restoration and installation of flood regulators.The department aims to complete the work in two months. Construction of a flood protection wall along Nattu Kalvai, the surplus channel of Thiruneermalai Periyar Eri that carries floodwater to the Adyar river, is among the proposed projects.Residents said their long-pending demands must be taken up during the upcoming Budget session. B. Saravanan, treasurer, Federation of Thiruneermalai Residents’ Welfare Association said the channel had been affected by encroachments and sewage pollution. Citing a response obtained under the Right to Information Act, he said a retaining wall is planned along Nattu Kalvai at a cost of around ₹44 crore.The department must consider deepening narrow stretches of the channel to prevent flooding in areas such as Saraswathypuram Extension and Temple Town.Among the major works proposed are improvements to Chembarambakkam and Red Hills reservoirs, construction of a channel to bridge missing link between Nandhivaram tank and Urapakkam surplus course and construction of flood protection wall in vulnerable stretches along Adyar river along Vandalur- Walajahbad Road. Published - August 04, 2026 05:00 am IST
