This year, Chennai’s major waterways, clogged with vegetation, will get a cleaner look as the Water Resources Department (WRD) has started pre-monsoon preparedness works ahead of the usual August deadline.
Residents, however, are calling for concerted efforts to keep the waterways clean, and to ensure periodical and proper waste disposal.
The department usually initiates clearing of floating waste and aquatic weeds ahead of the Northeast monsoon that sets in by October. However, this year, nearly ₹38 crore has been sanctioned to execute 195 works, including in Cuddalore district, to maintain free flow of water in various waterways.
Officials of the WRD said vulnerable portions of waterways, choked with debris and vegetation, would be prioritised for the desilting exercise during the ongoing Southwest monsoon. “The region receives intense rain spells during Southwest monsoon too. We have deployed machinery to facilitate free flow of water in vulnerable portions of major waterways such as the Cooum, Buckingham Canal, and the Adyar,” an official said.
While welcoming the initiative to begin pre-monsoon works ahead of schedule, residents stressed the need for coordinated efforts of government agencies to maintain the ecosystem of waterways.
R. Loganathan, resident of R.K. Nagar said, “North Buckingham Canal gets covered with thick vegetation within a few weeks after the clean-up exercise. The department must place trash boom barriers to trap water hyacinth and waste, and prevent them from polluting the entire stretch. Unless sewage joining the canal from minor waterways and storm-water drains is arrested, such exercises will have low impact.”
In Buckingham Canal, 19 projects have been taken up to remove floating materials blocking the water flow. Machinery has been deployed in the waterway near Lattice bridge and Indira Nagar bridge.
Residents also demand stringent monitoring of works executed by contractors. S. Swaminathan, secretary, JAMBA United Welfare Association (a federation of residents’ welfare associations of Mogappair), said the portion of Cooum river between Maduravoyal and Thiruverkadu, particularly near the bridges, was covered with aquatic weeds. The river must also be cleared of garbage piles on its banks, and new encroachments, he said.
Officials said ]the works, including the removal of sand bars in estuaries, would continue till the year-end.
Portions of other significant waterbodies, including Porur lake, Okkiam Maduvu, stretch of Adyar river near Manapakkam, and nearly 20 km of Cooum, are also being cleaned.
In Perumbakkam, panchayat authorities have put up boards warning against dumping garbage on five sites along Buckingham Canal. They said besides holding awareness campaigns, vehicles were being seized to prevent sewage and solid waste dumping in the canal.
Published – June 20, 2025 02:20 am IST