Deccan Chronicle 09.11.2009

Cemented roads block water, houses inundated

Chennai, Nov. 8: The northeast monsoon that lashed the city during 2008 and the hardships that accompanied it still linger in the memory of Chennaiites. This year also the residents are enduring its backlash with several areas remaining inundated.

Though a mega project worth Rs 1,600 crore integrating the entire city stormwater network expected to bring a final solution to floods was declared last year, the project is yet to take off.

Several areas of Vadapalani, Koyambedu, Virugambakkam, Valluvarkottam, Anna Nagar, Trustpuram, Choolaimedu, Puliyur and Kodambakkam have been worst affected.

According to Gopal, an autorickshaw driver of Trustpuram, Kodambakkam, the authorities laid the inner roads with cement, which helped many, mainly senior citizens and children, walk safely.

“However, the contractor did not give importance to the level of road or space for water to flow through. The end result is that rainwater flows into our houses instead of draining outside,” he said. “Though we have notified corporation authorities, it looks like another flooded season. A minimum of two hours of continuous rain is enough to make our lives hell since we cannot even cook due to hip-level water in the house,” said Rajalakshmi, a resident near Choolaimedu.

Corporation commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni said all flood relief projects declared last year, that includes improving the stormwater drain system, were completed before the monsoon. “The integrated stormwater network project which would give a final solution to the flood situation was sanctioned by the Central government in August. The two-year project would commence in January 2010,” said Mr Lakhoni.