Chennai: With northeast monsoon weeks away, Tambaram corporation has completed at least 80% of its preparedness work, including desilting 344km of stormwater drains of the total 417km, along with 45km of major and link canals. The civic body has also kept 48 dewatering pumps and 75 tractors ready to tackle waterlogging and flooding.Every monsoon, several streets in Tambaram get inundated and roads get damaged. Since June, civic body has been relaying roads, desilting sewer lines, pruning trees and setting up relief camps.The cost of desilting stormwater drains is estimated at ₹4.5 crore. As many as 2,136 potholes have been rectified across 550 roads within the corporation limit, with patchwork done for 40,306sqm at ₹2.92 crore. Some 15 desilting vehicles and 19 suction vehicles are being used to clear sewer lines In Chromepet, Pallavaram and East Tambaram.The corporation has also identified 1,221 locations and carried out tree pruning, while another 779 locations require work by Tamil Nadu power distribution corporation. Joint work with electricity officials is underway to remove branches that could pose risks during storms.To deal with flooding in low-lying areas such as Perungalathur, West Tambaram and Pallavaram, 48 diesel and electric pumps have been inspected and kept ready. Another 75 tractors — 15 for each of the five zones — have been arranged through contractors for quick removal of stagnant rainwater.Tambaram corporation commissioner S Balachander said, “Compared to last year, we have increased the level of preparedness. We will complete all critical work before monsoon. A total of 20 flood relief camps have been identified across the corporation limits. A total of 4,100 sandbags, 600 casuarina poles and ropes will be used to strengthen bunds of waterbodies to prevent any breach.”He said, “We have also made arrangements to prepare 84,000 food packets daily through seven Amma canteens, three kitchens under Perunthalaivar Kamarajar breakfast scheme and private catering agencies.” The corporation has also planned volunteer training, medical and mobile medical camps, stocking of disinfectants and round-the-clock operation of its integrated command and control centre from Oct 1.M Gandhi, president of Pallavaram resident welfare association, said, “It is a welcome move by the corporation to have taken up monsoon preparedness work at least a month before the northeast monsoon. Every year, many interior areas are left inundated; necessary action should be taken to inspect and identify hotspots in the corporation limits.”
