Planning Ahead: Tamil Nadu Government Seeks Rs 4,446 Crore From Centre To Mitigate Flooding In Chennai

The government of Tamil Nadu has submitted a plan to the central government to adopt permanent flood mitigation measures in Chennai. The project will cost Rs 4,446 crore. Since flooding happens in parts of Chennai almost every year after heavy rainfall, the only way to mitigate this issue is by constructing integrated storm-water drains.

A memorandum has been submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Chief Minister Edapaddi K Palaniswami. They have requested the government to direct necessary ministries to allot funds required to initiate the work on storm-water drains in Kovalam and Kosasthalaiyar Basin.

The Hindu Business Line reported that the funds are necessary for the purchase of relevant machinery. There are several macro drains in Chennai alongside tanks and lakes that need to be treated in a rather holistic manner to reduce the risks of flooding.

Since the Greater Chennai and the peri-urban areas are spread over a flat terrain in the coastal plains, the risk of flooding exists there too. The average altitude is just 2m above sea level. The Ennore, Cooum, Adyar and Kovalam creeks join the Bay of Bengal that passes through the plains.