Anna Nagar Residents for Additional Diversion Channel to Check Otteri Nullah Flooding
The demand was made during an inspection of monsoon preparedness at the zero point of the Otteri nullah by minister Vijay Balaji
CHENNAI: The Federation of Anna Nagar Residents’ Associations (Foara) has sought the inclusion of a 500-metre diversion channel between the Padi flyover and Wheels India gate in the phase II project to divert excess water and industrial effluents from the Padi-Ambattur side directly towards the Cooum.
The demand was made during an inspection of monsoon preparedness at the zero point of the Otteri nullah by minister Vijay Balaji, accompanied by Anna Nagar MLA V.K. Ramkumar, regional deputy commissioner (central) H.R. Koushik and senior officials of Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC).
Foara representatives raised concern over the increasing volume of excess water and industrial effluents entering the Otteri nullah, which they said was already under considerable stress. The residents body pointed out that any further increase in inflow could pose a flood risk not only to Anna Nagar but also to densely-populated areas downstream up to the Buckingham canal.
Foara welcomed the allocation made in the budget for phase II of the diversion channel from the zero point of the Otteri nullah to the Cooum.
However, the residents said the proposed phase II would not adequately address the problem unless the additional 500-metre stretch from Padi flyover to Wheels India gate was incorporated into the project.
According to Foara, the additional diversion would allow excess water and industrial effluents from the Padi-Ambattur side to be channelled towards the Cooum, reducing the inflow and pressure on the Otteri nullah.
“Every monsoon, the pressure on the Otteri nullah increases, putting thousands of residents downstream at risk. We need a preventive solution rather than waiting for another flood. The proposed 500-metre diversion is a critical missing link and must be included in phase II,” Foara said.
The minister assured the residents’ representatives that the proposal would be examined and necessary steps would be taken to incorporate the 500-metre diversion from Padi flyover to Wheels India gate in the detailed project report (DPR) for phase II.
Foara has urged the authorities to treat the proposed diversion as an urgent monsoon preparedness measure, arguing that it could reduce the flood burden on Anna Nagar, while also providing relief to communities living along the downstream stretch of the Otteri nullah up to the Buckingham canal.