All stormwater drain work in the city may not be fully completed by the upcoming monsoon, said Chennai Mayor at the council meeting on Tuesday. This was when councillors reported missing links to stormwater drains (SWDs) in their wards causing issues during heavy downpours.
Ward 162 councillor A. Solomon (DMK), during the Zero Hour, said that five major streets in Morrisson area in his ward were facing stagnation issues, forcing residents to use the service road of Thillai Nagar subway.
He said, “… there is an urgent need for stormwater drains along these roads and the subway before the next heavy rainfall, as pumping out water can be challenging. Also, in Thillai Ganga Nagar on 26th and 28th streets, rainwater has no proper drainage, and water from under the railway bridge flows into residential areas. In Jeevan Nagar First Street on the opposite side, water can flow if new SWDs are installed. The drains have to be constructed by next monsoon.”
To this, Mayor R. Priya replied, “A Detailed Project Report has been prepared, and the stormwater drains will be installed, but this is not feasible before the start of the next monsoon season, as August is almost over and rains are expected in September/ October. Therefore, the work may need to be taken up only in January. The Deputy Commissioner (Works) must ensure that the project is carried out.”
Ward 96 councillor S. Dhanalakshmi (Congress) said United India Nagar’s First, Second and Third streets need new SWDs. The Mayor replied that inspections had been conducted by local authorities and an estimate for the necessary work would be prepared soon. The councillor expressed concern that for over two-and-a-half years, officials had been promising to begin work on the Kosasthalaiyar Basin project, yet no action had been taken so far, despite inspections being conducted six months ago.
In her reply, the Mayor said, “The Madhavaram area is included in the Kosasthalaiyar Basin project. The savings from the major SWD project are used to fund smaller projects. The work in United India Nagar will be completed within two months.”
Councillor for Ward 185 D. Sharmila Devi (DMK), during the Zero Hour, said a few areas in her ward still did not have SWDs and requested the infrastructure be installed by next monsoon.
The Mayor stated that SWDs were currently being installed in critical locations. She noted that stagnation during rainfall occurs in some areas, but was expected to recede within an hour or two. If it does not, steps would be taken in the coming days to install SWDs in those locations, she added.
Further, the Council approved several projects concerning SWD infrastructure. New works will involve demolishing dilapidated old SWDs and constructing new ones, as well as building entirely new systems in various streets across different zones.
In Anna Nagar Zone (VIII), projects include the one on Umayal Street at an estimated cost of ₹1.12 crore. On Appadurai 3rd Main Road, a new drain construction project will cost ₹1.074 crore, with a similar project on United India Nagar 3rd Main Road estimated at the same amount. In Zone 12, a new SWD construction is under way on Jinnah Street at a cost of ₹1.29 crore, and on NGO Colony 3rd Street, the estimated cost of the project is ₹1.14 crore.
Additionally, the council approved the hiring of 23 tractor-operated pumps to bail out water, for a four-month period, which is estimated to cost ₹1.472 crore. These pumps will be used for flood mitigation during the Northeast monsoon season.
Published – August 27, 2025 12:26 am IST
