Complete all monsoon works in Chennai by September end, TN chief secretary instructs officials

While instructing the officials to speed up the ongoing rainwater drainage works, canals and waterways in Chennai, Chief Secretary M. Sai Kumar told them to ensure that no inconvenience is caused to the residents during the monsoon preparations. He said this while inspecting works in Adyar, Perungudi and Sholinganallur zones on Saturday (September 5, 2026).

Mr. Sai Kumar told the officials to remove the water hyacinth and silt that obstructs the flow of rainwater through canals and culverts.

He directed the GCC, Water Resources Department, Highways Department, Chennai Metro Rail and Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board to coordinate the work and complete it by the end of September.

In Adyar, he inspected the ₹13.52 crore stormwater drain being constructed near Tidel Park to divert stormwater from the IIT-Madras area to the Buckingham Canal. The 660 meter long canal will have two water channels, each measuring 3m x 3m.

In Perungudi, he inspected the works of canalization in Mylai Balaji Nagar, Ward 188. The works were completed for 235 meters and 207 meters at a cost of ₹ 6.48 crore and ₹ 8.68 crore respectively. He directed officials to complete the remaining 110 meters.

The canals will carry rainwater towards the Pallikaranai marsh through the Velachery-Medavakkam Road canal, which will help prevent water stagnation in Ram Nagar (South), Kubera Nagar and Sadasivam Nagar.

He also inspected the removal of water hyacinths at Narayanapuram Lake and along the road between Radial Road and Perungudi Landfill, including about 17 culverts through which rainwater flows into the Buckingham Canal.

In Sholinganallur, he assessed a ₹73 crore drainage project near Thoraipakkam at OMR to divert water from Pallikaranai marsh to Buckingham Canal. He also inspected the work of Metro Rail in Okkiyam Maduvu Canal.

Published – 05 Sep 2026 16:33 IST