Work speeded up to improve Thirumudivakkam channel that drains into Adyar river

As part of its ongoing efforts to improve minor channels draining into Adyar river, the Water Resources Department (WRD) has accelerated work to restore the Thirumudivakkam drain, targeting completion by February-end.

Nearly 85% of the work to improve the minor channel has been completed so far. The channel, which collects floodwater from the local catchment areas downstream of Chembarambakkam reservoir, discharges into Adyar river. Like many other minor channels, the Thirumudivakkam drain was also heavily silted up and lacked well-defined banks.

The nearly 3.4-km-long channel originates near Thirumidivakkam, passes through the industrial zone and joins the river near Pazhanthandalam. The channel largely covers industrial areas and developing neighbourhoods.

Officials of the WRD said inundation in the adjoining areas was significantly reduced by addressing vulnerable stretches of the channel ahead of the Northeast Monsoon. Moreover, improvement works carried out on two other channels, the Malaipattu Somangalam drain and the Meenambakkam drain, helped enhance the carrying capacity during the monsoon.

Unit holders in the Thirumudivakkam industrial estate said instances of waterlogging have declined in recent years. Earlier, the area would get waterlogged whenever the channel overflowed.

Residents, however, stressed that both Adyar river and its minor channels must be prioritised for restoration during the summer months. B. Saravanan, a resident of Thiruneermalai, said such channels must be protected from unchecked urbanisation, and called for better cleaning and maintenance of the Adyar river stretch near Thiruneermalai.

The project, which slowed down owing to paucity of funds after allocations under Chennai Rivers Restoration Trust were allegedly suspended, resumed after the State government recently released funds.

While major portions of the ₹13.19 crore project, including strengthening of bund, have been completed, work is underway to desilt the channel and construct a wall to demarcate its boundary. The channel’s carrying capacity has been increased to 4,000 cubic feet per second, three times its current capacity. Signboards and dumpsters would be installed to prevent the dumping of solid waste into the channel, officials said.