Chennai Buzz: Flood mitigation efforts on | Roads to be relaid based on complaints..and more!

More news in this weekly recap: Chennai Metro shares feasibility study; North Chennai to get power infra upgrade; 15 mobile toilets launched.

Chennai Corporation to relay 61 roads

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is set to relay a total of 61 roads across the city. The roads have been chosen based on complaints received on social media about their poor state. The civic body has put together a comprehensive report based on photos shared on the poor condition of the roads since June this year.

The work is expected to be carried out in the coming weeks and completed before the onset of the northeast monsoon. Some of the roads identified are in areas such as Mugalivakkam, Porur, Madhavaram and Madipakkam. The civic body has been urged to take action on poor roads by the office of the Chief Minister. 

Source: The Times of India

ranjith road damaged
Damaged roads can be found across the city. Pic: Shobana Radhakrishnan

Read more: North Chennai roads turn into an obstacle course for commuters


Mobile toilets launched in Chennai

The Greater Chennai Corporation’s focus on sanitation has seen the launch of new facilities. One of the programs is the launch of mobile toilets for women. The toilets will serve underserved areas and places where permanent facilities are unavailable or unusable. 

The GCC has launched 15 such mobile toilets in the third week of September. The toilets will be stationed at busy junctions and high footfall areas such as railway stations, bus stands and important junctions. The facility was inaugurated and flagged off from Ripon building. 

Source: The Times of India

Flood mitigation work underway

Flood mitigation measures are underway in full swing across the city. The civic body is focused on completing the work in vulnerable spots before the onset of the northeast monsoon. A total of 37 such spots have been identified across the city based on their susceptibility to urban flooding. 

Prevention of water stagnation through the completion of stormwater drain work and desilting is one of the key steps. Ambattur and Anna Nagar have a high number of spots which saw water stagnation during the rains and will receive adequate attention to prevent a repeat of the issues. 

The officials of the civic body also state that the Mambalam Canal will also be desilted prior to the monsoon.

Source: The Hindu


Read more: Monsoon is here; is your area among those listed ‘vulnerable’ by GCC?


North Chennai to get power infra upgrade

Several areas in North Chennai will see a revamp of its electricity infrastructure if a proposal by TANGEDCO is approved. The discom has requested approval for a project to convert overhead power cables to underground power cables in North Chennai. The project will cover a running length of 1300 kms of cables spread across Vysarpadi and Tondiarpet. The cost of the project is estimated at Rs 635 crores. German ban KfW will fund the project.

Infrastructure upgrade in terms of creation of new ring main units, setting up of new substations, converting old power distribution centres and other work has been proposed and are being carried out under the Vada Chennai Valarchi Thittam. 

Old power infrastructure has resulted in frequent power cuts and loss of electricity. The upgrades are expected to solve these issues. 

Source: The Hindu

Chennai Metro shares findings of feasibility study

Based on a feasibility assessment, Chennai Metro is unlikely to extend its coverage from Siruseri to Kelambakkam. The Metro has recommended the launch of a bus service in its place. In the study, it was found that there is not enough demand along the route for the operation of metro rail.

Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) study has recommended looking into the extension of the service towards Mahabalipuram from Kelambakkam, covering industrial and residential areas. The CMRL also wants to assess the possibility of an extension to Pattabiram.

Source: The Times of India

[Complied by Aruna Natarajan]

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