PMK urges TN govt to complete SWD works by Sept end

CHENNAI: PMK President Anbumani Ramadoss on Sunday urged the state government to complete the storm water drainage works in Chennai by the end of September, this year.

"Based on the recommendations of the Thirupugazh committee storm water drainage works are carried out at the cost of Rs 4,000 crore and works carried out at the cost of Rs 983 crore were scheduled to be completed before the onset of northeast monsoon season. If the works were not completed by the end of September there is no purpose in carrying out the works, " said Anbumani, in a statement.

He also said that after 2015, Chennai witnessed one of the worst floods in 2021 where several areas in Chennai witnessed floods thrice during the northeast monsoon season. Several roads were damaged and houses inundated.

Though the state government commenced the flood mitigation works much earlier only some portion of the storm water drainage works were completed. In some places 65 percent works were completed while in some places the works were not even commenced. On an average only around 30 to 35 percent of the storm water drainage works were completed.

Anbumani further said that storm water drainage works does not mean laying the storm water drainage pipes alone. While laying storm water drainage pipes space for one feet distance has been left and they should be filled before the monsoon and roads should be laid over the pipes to prevent water stagnation.

Northeast monsoon is set to commence by the third week of October and there is only one month left. If all the storm water drainage works are not completed on war footing Chennai will once again face floods and all the works carried out will not serve any purpose, added Anbumani.