Lack of stormwater drains inundates city, but Corpn all for demolition

Even while facing allegations on construction of drains, the civic body floated tenders to demolish stormwater drains on as many as 48 roads and streets in Adyar, Kodambakkam, Teynampet and other zones at a cost of around Rs 26 crore.

Irked by this, residents from areas where the drains are non-existent criticised the decision and demanded the Corporation to construct drains in streets that lack the infrastructure. “Some streets in Venkatarathinam Nagar, Kasturba Nagar and others do not have stormwater drains. Every monsoon, the residents are affected due to the inundation. Last time, water was stagnating for more than one foot in some streets. We have been demanding the Corporation to construct stormwater drains in our locality,” said C Namachivayam, a resident of Venkatarathinam Nagar in Adyar. M Vishnupriya, a resident of Choolaimedu, said that the officials had demolished the drain on her street, which was apparently in a good condition, and reconstructed the drain. “Owing to the work, motorists were affected the most. The Corporation should replace only the drains that are in bad condition,” she added.

However, officials claimed that they have floated tenders only to replace the old brick drains that were damaged by rats and roots of the trees. In its place, reinforced concrete drains would be constructed, they added.

“Until four years ago, we have been building brick stormwater drains which are easily damaged. Reinforced concrete stormwater drains have higher longevity, lasting up to nearly 20 years. We have floated tenders only to replace the damaged brick structures,” said a Chennai Corporation official.

Of the 48 streets and roads, the Chennai Corporation has included North Usman Road and GN Chetty Road for replacement of stormwater drains at cost of Rs 58.8 lakh and Rs 81 lakh respectively.

Once again finding holes in the tenders floated for demolishing and reconstruction of stormwater drains, the anti-corruption NGO Arappor Iyakkam alleged that the civic body would have modified the detailed project report (DPR) prepared for the construction of missing link stormwater drains and is floating new tenders. “Due to opposition from small contractors, the Corporation has cancelled tenders for work worth Rs 123 crore. They are now floating it again after segregating the tenders into small packages. The officials should make the DPR public,” demanded Jayaram Venkatesan, convenor of the organisation.

Corporation constructs stormwater drains with funds from World Bank, Chennai Mega City Development Mission and Smart City Mission is used for constructing SWDs. Of these, works have been completed using WB funds, while tendering process underway for the other two.