Chennai: With the northeast monsoon about two months away, Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has stepped up preparedness measures across the city, allocating ₹100 crore for a slew of preventive work aimed at minimising waterlogging.The work includes desilting of 1,671km of stormwater drains at about ₹22.46 crore, establishing rainwater drain connections in areas where they are absent, removing water hyacinth from waterways and improving the condition of water bodies. The corporation is undertaking pruning and removal of branches from dangerous trees, besides maintaining water stagnation tanks and pumping equipment.“As part of the preparedness programme, ₹10 crore has been earmarked, with ₹5 lakh per ward. Another ₹22 crore has been allocated for road patchwork and repairs, with tenders invited on a zonal basis. To tackle waterlogging in low-lying areas, corporation has floated tenders worth ₹26.53 crore for deploying 150 pumps of 100HP capacity and pumps mounted on 500 hired tractors,” said GCC commissioner G S Sameeran.An additional ₹15 lakh has been allocated for repairing faulty electrical motors. He added, “The civic body will also procure 15,000 emergency kits at ₹60 lakh, with essential items for people affected by the monsoon. Temporary workers will be appointed at a cost of ₹4.65 crore to operate pumps and water stagnation tanks.”In addition, 1,000 workers — five for each ward — will be deployed for monsoon-related activities. GCC will also use drones, at a cost of ₹15 lakh, to survey waterways and support the work. Sameeran directed officials to coordinate with departments including water resources, highways, Metrowater, TNPDCL, CMRL and railways, to complete all preparedness works by the end of Sept.
