Central government scheme provides ray of hope for revised GIS mapping of water lines and sewer network to resolve civic issues, and create safer streets

As the preparatory work on schemes for special assistance to States for capital investment by the Central government has started this month, residents and councillors in the city have demanded utilisation of the funds this year for mapping of municipal assets, existing water sewerage, storm water drainage network on GIS portal and GATI Shakti Portal to resolve civic issues. The civic body has also planned to implement a safe city street plan under the scheme for women, persons with disability and children, based on consultations with residents.

Residents have complained that many civic issues about water supply and sewage have not been resolved while a few have been resolved after a delay of several weeks owing to the lack of proper mapping of the assets underground. GCC and Metrowater workers have not been able to identify the water supply lines underneath roads for resolving civic issues. 

Federation of North Chennai Residents Association president T.K.Shanmugham said drinking water has been polluted by mixing of sewage in most of the roads of north Chennai. “Residents have complained. But the civic agencies require funds for resolving such issues. The State government should get more funds from the Central government to resolve the issue of water supply and sewage in north Chennai,” he said

The northern zones of GCC are likely to benefit from the scheme for special assistance to States for capital investment by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for urban reforms in the year 2025 -2026. Residents have demanded the civic agencies compile baseline data for all components to be submitted in 30 days.

As part of the reforms, states are expected to map, digitise existing water networks, stormwater drains and sewage network layers in GIS platform mandatorily all GIS utility maps on PM Gati Shakti portal.

The funds under the scheme will also be utilised for implementation of a safe city street plan. The streets will be safer for women, persons with disability and children.

The GCC will prepare a neighbourhood improvement plan focussing on utilities, schools, and infrastructure of the area for digital mapping. The scheme includes mitigation strategies for flooding.

The Central government will also fund the project for rejuvenation of existing wells. In the previous Chennai Corporation Council meeting, Councillors in areas such as Adyar have spoken about the pollution of wells because of damage in the sewer network.  Once the Central government provides funds under the scheme, the civic body will rejuvenate the existing wells and restore the functionality of existing wells to enhance their water storage , quality and flow in the 15 zones of the city. The Central government will carry out desilting and sediment removal, replace or repair the casting, pumping system maintenance and testing mechanism for contamination under the scheme. 

Similarly, GCC will develop urban forest pathways as part of urban planning reform under the scheme. The funds under the scheme will also be utilised for revitalising central business districts, historic core of state capitals. The State will incentivise revitalisation, restoring and retrofitting city cores, marketplaces of historical importance to turn them into vibrant economic cultural spaces.