Phase II of Chitlapakkam UGD work to begin on Jan 15

In the first phase, drains were constructed along 865 metres, which connects rainwater drains in thelocality and flows directly into Sembakkam lake.

“The PWD had started construction work two years ago and completed it only now. If they had completed it before the Northeast Monsoon set in, we would not have suffered water stagnation in our area,” said Vishwanath, convener of Chitlapakkam Residents Associations Coordination Committee. In the second phase, supposed to start on January 15, the PWD is likely to cover around 500 metres in Chitlapakkam. They will also desilt and restore Chitlapakkam and Sembakkam lakes and stop sewage flowing into them.

“Officials had inspected the place in September and said that they would start the work by December, but it took them so long to complete the first phase itself. So, the phase two has been pushed to January,” said Kamalesh L, a resident of Chitlapakkam. “Only if they start the work now, will they be able to complete it by this monsoon and prevent water stagnation,” he said.

A PWD official said, “We will begin the phase two work in two weeks and complete it in six months. We have been allotted Rs 25 crore for it.”