Chennai Corporation boosts desilting of Otteri Nullah, Virugambakkam Canal, and Veerangal Odai

The three canals, previously managed by the Water Resources Department (WRD), were transferred to the GCC for maintenance in October 2024 through a government order to streamline flood management.

Ahead of the monsoon, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has undertaken desilting efforts across key canals to prevent waterlogging in critical areas. A total of 3,400 metres of three major canals—Otteri Nullah, Virugambakkam Canal, and Veerangal Odai—were desilted, with 2,600 tonnes of silt and waste removed.

The three canals, previously managed by the Water Resources Department (WRD), were transferred to the GCC for maintenance in October 2024 through a government order to streamline flood management.

This initiative significantly improved rainwater drainage in vulnerable zones such as Anna Nagar (East and West), Kodambakkam, Arumbakkam, Chinmaya Nagar, MMDA Colony, Nungambakkam, Kilpauk, and Otteri.

Chennai Corporation manages a total of 36 canals across the 15 zones. The desilting work in these three canals were contracted out to third parties, while the rest are done using vehicles of the civic body - including excavators and floaters, an official in the Storm Water Drain Department stated. “The amount of silt and waste removed from the remaining canals is yet to be consolidated. Work has been ongoing daily,” he added.

Chennai saw roughly 16 cm of rainfall in 24 hours from 6 a.m. to Wednesday a.m. Despite the intensity, areas covered by the desilting effort experienced fewer issues, according to the GCC.

On November 26, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin inspected the desilting works at several locations, including the Virugambakkam Canal near the Arumbakkam Metro Station and the Otteri Nullah Canal in Anna Nagar. He also reviewed the widening construction work of the connection canal linking Otteri Nullah to the Cooum River.

Published - November 28, 2024 12:38 am IST