Chennai: The state government has asked the Chennai corporation to capitalise on the ongoing monsoon by identifying the hot spots that are prone to flooding and explore the idea of establishing wells.
The newly dug up wells will enhance the capacity to hold storm water in greater Chennai. Under the new cost-effective pilot project, for which documentation has begun, newly dug up wells will come up on identified government and private lands, sources said.
“The corporation has informed that there are about 300 hot spots in Chennai that get inundated and we are exploring other avenues to reduce the stress on the existing storm water drains,” said K Phanindra Reddy, secretary, municipal administration and water supply department.
The engineering and the present design of storm water drains are conducive only for intermittent rains and any downpour beyond 10 cm plays havoc, affecting the roads. The documentation will get compiled by the end of December and the officials will have about eight months to execute the initiative in a phased manner. The proposed new wells will be properly covered and will enhance the storm water holding capacity, leaving the surplus to drain into the canals.
The project will help reduce the wear and tear of roads, increase the groundwater table and also enhance the efficiency of drains, the official said. “This is a welcome move and the option of going for new wells will have many advantages for a congested city like Chennai,” said Mr S. Santhanam, former chief urban planner of CMDA.
The Saidapet Karaneeswarar temple tank is now full due to storm water collection. More such tanks and wells are the need of the hour, he added.
“The corporation data base had over 60,000 wells within city, and later, with the real estate picking up, the wells were closed down. The revival of wells and shifting back to the traditional system will help,” said a field engineer with corporation. All you have to do is divert funds set aside for drains and can be executed if not interrupted, he said.
