CHENNAI: It seems that the authorities in Chennai are yet to learn their lessons from the devastating December floods. Victims and civic activists say canals and water bodies in their areas are yet to be desilted. Strengthening of canals, desilting and construction of storm water drains are pending in flood-prone areas such as Saidapet, Pallavaram and Tambaram.
“The authorities have completely forgotten what happened during last December. After the first few days of concern and relief distribution, there is no visit by any official or any visible flood prevention work taken up in my area”, said S. Appu, a resident pf Ekkatuthangal. “I work in a private company earning '22,000 per month, but the December floods made me a pauper. My bike, phone, television and refrigerator had to repaired or replaced and memories of the floods haunts me, whenever it rains, said Appu.
“Though there was no major inundation in our area, the sewer lines chocked after the nearby lakes breached entering the drainage. Despite, repeated pleas, Pallavaram municipality blames the public works department for poor lake maintenance and there is no response from PWD officials,” lamented S. Raj, a resident of Pammal Nallathambi road. “The Saidapet MLA office has received petitions from the public residing in Ekkatuthangal, Saidapet and Kottur areas for strengthening of Adyar river banks,” said former Mayor and Saidapet MLA M. Subramanian. A draft on pending works in South Chennai is under preparation and the same will be submitted to PWD and Greater Chennai corporation seeking immediate action, he said.
When contacted, a senior state official denied that flood prevention works were pending in greater Chennai and Kancheepuram. Post December floods; encroachments have been cleared in more than eight major water bodies. Hutments along Adyar banks at Saidapet, Adyar and Jafferkhanpet have been removed. Works on major desilting and strengthening of river bunds have been identified and will be taken up shortly, the official added.
A Chennai corporation official said a blue print has been prepared on flood alleviation. Canals and causeways that had to be cleaned ahead of monsoon are earmarked and the corporation will intensify the work ahead of monsoon. Besides a massive project at an outlay of Rs 2000 crore is proposed for flood mitigation and the work for the same will start in a phased manner from this September, the official added.
