Mumbai, Sept. 7 -- The State government has set the end of September as the deadline for completing all ongoing north-east monsoon preparedness works in Chennai and its suburbs, with Chief Secretary M Sai Kumar directing officials to accelerate flood prevention measures on a war footing. The Chief Secretary instructed departments to coordinate closely to ensure drainage, power safety and relief arrangements are completed before the season peaks.
Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is carrying out desilting along 1671 km of storm water drains (SWD), while desilting work has been undertaken in 110082 silt catch pits. Similar works have been ordered in suburban areas, with flood prone neighbourhoods such as Velachery, Ambattur SIDCO, Tiruvottiyur and Manali receiving focused attention.
Officials were directed to address gaps in SWD connectivity, particularly in locations where Metro Rail works are under way and along highways. The Water Resources Department (WRD) was asked to expedite desilting of rivers and canals and to clear obstructions at critical points, while pending drainage works on key stretches including Demellows Road, Nookampalayam and MRH Road were ordered to be hastened.
It was emphasised that measures must prevent loss of life from electrical leakage during the monsoon and that electricity departments should inspect vulnerable areas. Flood relief centres and community kitchens were instructed to be inspected and equipped with necessary facilities and stocks to support displaced residents.
The Chief Secretary conducted a review meeting at the Secretariat with zonal monitoring officers and senior officials from the GCC, Avadi and Tambaram corporations and from the Water Resources, Highways, Electricity, Revenue and Disaster Management departments, as well as representatives of Metro Rail and Metro Water. The review reiterated that all works should be completed on schedule and monitored closely until the deadline.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.