CMRL takes flood mitigation measures ahead of monsoon

Ahead of the northeast monsoon, the Chennai Metro Rail has readied nearly 600 water pumps with varying capacities to drain rainwater in case of flooding.

One of the biggest infrastructure projects under construction in the city is Chennai Metro Rail’s phase II project, which covers 118.9 km. In the past, residents have pointed out that the construction has led to flooding in quite a few areas of the city.

According to officials of the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), in view of the upcoming monsoon, they will consistently monitor the water levels across the city and in the three corridors of the phase II project — Madhavaram to SIPCOT, Light House to Poonamallee, and Madhavaram to Sholinganallur.

Water pumps mobilised

“The CMRL has mobilised 603 water pumps. If any area faces water stagnation, the pumps will be immediately deployed and the rainwater pumped into the nearest drain,” an official said.

In the 45.8-km stretch from Madhavaram to SIPCOT, 292 pumps will be deployed – 55 in the Madhavaram to Kellys section, 72 in the Kellys to Taramani section, 56 in the Moolakadai to Perambur section, 62 in the Otteri to Kellys section, 16 in the Kilpauk to Taramani section, 10 in the Nehru Nagar to Sholinganallur section, and 21 in the Sholinganallur to SIPCOT section.

For the 26.1-km Light House-Poonamallee stretch, 151 water pumps have been readied. Of them, 46 are meant for the Lighthouse to Boat Club section, 79 for Boat Club to Powerhouse, 20 for Powerhouse to Porur Bypass, and 6 for Porur Bypass to Poonamallee Bypass.

A total of 160 pumps have been made available for the 47-km Madhavaram-Sholinganallur stretch, with 110 for the Assisi Nagar to CMBT section, 31 for CMBT to Puzhuthivakkam section, and 19 for Puzhuthivakkam to Elcot section.

To prevent floodwater from entering the underground station site and tunnel, retaining walls are being built around the station box using bricks or cement blocks. Besides, 1,000 sand-filled gunny bags will be made available for all stations to prevent the entry of water.

“This is crucial to prevent the tunnels from carrying water, as in 2015, and inundating areas. We have planned the mitigation measures accordingly, and it will not happen again,” another official said.