4,700 tonnes of silt removed from waterways

CHENNAI: As a part of monsoon preparedness measure, the Greater Chennai Corporation has removed more than 4,700 tonnes of silt and hyacinth from the city's water ways such as rivers and canals.

According to a Chennai Corporation press release, exercise to desilt rivers, canals and lakes were carried out from June to August. "The works are carried out in 23 water bodies. As much as 4,775 tonnes of silt and hyacinth have been removed from the water bodies, " the release said.

Apart from the waterways, the civic body has also desilted culverts of major canals. From the Mambalam Canal alone, around 750 tonnes of silt have been removed.

The civic body assured that desilting works will be completed before the monsoon. From Buckingham canal and Velachery lake, as much as 790 tonnes and 450 tonnes have been removed. "The exercise is being done using robotic excavators and other modern equipment, " the release added.

Meanwhile, the civic body has taken measures to desilt collection wells in seven major subways at a total cost of Rs. 13 lakh.

The seven subways are: Alandur Road subway, Duraisamy Subway, Rangarajapuram two-wheeler subway, Madley subway, Ganeshapuram subway, Harrington Road subway and Villivakkam subway.

Also, works to desilt existing storm water drains is underway and the civic body has taken up 1,055 kilometres of drains for desilting.

Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (Metrowater) has also taken up a similar drive to desilt sewer lines before the monsoon.