Chennai, November 21 (BPNS)

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), during its flood mitigation surveys, has identified several permanent encroachments, including apartment buildings, private hospitals, and clinics.

Officials from the GCC have confirmed that notices will be issued to these permanent structures through the Revenue Department, followed by lawful eviction after the submission of the revenue team’s survey report.

Temporary structures occupying 13,800 sq.m along the roads have already been removed by the corporation.

This clearance has facilitated the development of a new waterbody, which is being converted into a flood mitigation pond.

A comprehensive survey was conducted by the Chennai Collector’s Revenue team after resident associations in suburban areas raised concerns over encroachments on waterbodies, citing increased flooding as a consequence.

Office bearers of the Singaperumal Koil residents’ association complained about encroachments on the Singaperumal Koil lake opposite the temple near GST Road.

Karvendhan, an IT professional, highlighted that many commercial buildings, including hotels and hospitals along GST Road, have encroached on the lake, exacerbating flood risks for local residents.

He urged the Chennai Corporation to promptly remove both temporary and permanent encroachments to address water stagnation and flooding.

In parallel, the GCC is working to increase the water storage capacity of several waterbodies in flood-prone areas.

Officials stated that efforts are underway to address water stagnation experienced during the 2023 monsoon season.

In Valasaravakkam’s SVS Nagar, the GCC plans to enhance the storage capacity of an existing waterbody by 60%.

Currently, the waterbody holds 4.15 lakh cubic feet, and the area experienced four days of water stagnation during the 2023 monsoon.

Once completed, the project is expected to reduce flooding in SVS Nagar, Jai Nagar, Subramanya Nagar, and Ambedkar Salai.

The GCC also plans to connect the pond to stormwater drains from stretches such as Ambedkar Salai. Officias said that excavation of two waterbodies with a combined storage capacity of 1.5 million cubic feet along the Airport Link Road (Velachery to Taramani), acting as buffers to direct water into the Pallikaranai marshland is being undertaken.

The corporation officials said that the immediaye priority is to increase the capacity of Alapakkam Lake in Valasaravakkam, which has shrunk from 57.48 acres to 9.88 acres.

Its storage capacity will be raised from 4.2 million cubic feet to 5.2 million cubic feet, reducing flooding in Maduravoyal and Valasaravakkam.

The GCC will also enhance the capacity of Thaangal Keni in Sholinganallur from 3.25 million cubic feet to 16.25 million cubic feet.

This waterbody spans 1,10,000 sq.m of meikal poromboke land and is integral to the local drainage system.

The improvement is expected to mitigate flooding near Infosys IT Park and the Aavin production plant.

It may be recalled that Chennai experienced widespread flooding during Severe Cyclonic Storm Michaung in December 2023. The district recorded nearly 400 mm of rainfall in two days, leading to water stagnation and the deaths of 24 people