Complete all monsoon preparedness works in Chennai by September-end, T.N. Chief Secretary instructs officials

While instructing officials to expedite the ongoing rainwater drainage, canal, and waterbody works in Chennai, Chief Secretary M. Sai Kumar told them to ensure that no inconvenience is caused to residents during the monsoon preparedness work. He said this during an inspection of work in Adyar, Perungudi, and Sholinganallur zones on Saturday (September 5, 2026).Mr. Sai Kumar told officials to remove water hyacinth and silt obstructing 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 works and complete them by September-end.In Adyar, he inspected a ₹13.52-crore stormwater drain being constructed near Tidel Park to carry rainwater from the IIT-Madras area to the Buckingham Canal. The 660-metre drain will have two water passages, each measuring 3 m x 3 m.In Perungudi, he inspected canal improvement works in Mylai Balaji Nagar, Ward 188. Works have been completed over 235 metres and 207 metres at a cost of ₹6.48 crore and ₹8.68 crore, respectively. He directed officials to complete the remaining 110 metres.The canals will carry rainwater towards the Pallikaranai marsh through the Velachery-Medavakkam Road canal, helping prevent water stagnation in Ram Nagar (South), Kubera Nagar, and Sadasivam Nagar.He also inspected water-hyacinth removal at Narayanapuram Lake and along the road between Radial Road and the Perungudi dump yard, including around 17 culverts through which rainwater flows into the Buckingham Canal.In Sholinganallur, he reviewed a ₹73-crore drainage project near Thoraipakkam on OMR to carry water from the Pallikaranai marsh to the Buckingham Canal. He also inspected Metro Rail work at the Okkiyam Maduvu canal. Published - September 05, 2026 04:33 pm IST