Chennai Sets Aside Rs 100 Crore to Brace for Northeast Monsoon, El Niño
A decision was taken in this regard in a recent review meeting chaired by Corporation Commissioner G S Sameeran, a senior official from the Corporation here on Sunday said
Chennai: The Greater Chennai Corporation has allocated Rs 100 crore to execute comprehensive precautionary measures across the city in view of the upcoming Northeast Monsoon and El Nino phenomenon.
A decision was taken in this regard in a recent review meeting chaired by Corporation Commissioner G S Sameeran, a senior official from the Corporation here on Sunday said.
Accordingly, the Commissioner directed officials from service departments-including Water Resources, Highways, Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB), Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation (TNPDCL), Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), and Southern Railway to work in close coordination and complete all preparatory works by the end of September.
The official said Rs 22.46 crore was allocated to desilt stormwater drains covering a total distance of 1,671 km and Rs 10 crore sanctioned directly to local administrative units, allocating Rs 5 lakh per ward for localised disaster mitigation.
Similarly, he said Rs 22 crore was set aside for region-wise tenders to repair and restore damaged stretches and Rs 26.53 crore earmarked through tenders to hire and deploy 150 numbers of 100 HP pumps and 500 tractor-mounted pumps in low-lying areas.
Stating that Rs 4.65 crore was sanctioned to hire temporary personnel for operating pumps and water storage tanks, he said over 1,000 extra workers will be engaged for monsoon-related emergency duties and Rs 15 lakh allotted to conduct aerial drone surveys of canals to assess obstruction points and streamline clearance work.
"About Rs 60 lakh has been designated to procure 15,000 emergency kits containing essential commodities for flood-affected families", he added.
