Virugambakkam canal choked with waste
GCC took possession of the canal from the water resources department earlier this year.
This 6.5km-long canal, originating in Nerkundram, is clogged with silt and garbage, triggering fears of flooding, especially near Panimalar Engineering College at Aminjikarai, near the outfall point. Traversing through Virugambakkam, Arumbakkam, Aminjikarai, and ending at Cooum River next to Nelson Manickam Road, the canal is meant to prevent flooding of at least 18,000 houses in the neighbourhoods.
However, over the past year, its flow drastically weakened due to heavy silt deposits, illegal dumping, and structural bottlenecks.
Near its outfall point from the Nelson Manickam Road bridge, TOI spotted heaps of plastic and solid waste dumped and levelled. There's food scrap, liquor bottles, and even cardboard items narrowing the canal. GCC has not plugged sewage in any of the stormwater drain outfalls too.
"Even short spells of rain lead to stagnation for hours, coupled with mosquito infestation," said K Vineeth, a resident.
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"The canal overflowed during Cyclone Fengal, when 10cm of rainfall caused flooding in Nungambakkam, Koyambedu, and Aminjikarai. Water stagnated for more than a day," he added.
GCC officials, however, said estimates are being prepared to restore the canal. "Of the 24 bridges across the canal, 11 with narrow two-ft-wide vents are set to be demolished and replaced with eight-ft-high culverts to improve flow. These old bridges cut flow from 1,700cusecs to 800, leading to flooding.
It will be fixed," said a zonal official from Teynampet.
GCC also plans a 2.5km cut-and-cover diversion drain from Aminjikarai to Cooum to ease the load on the canal's outfall. A bathymetric study with IIT-Madras is underway to desilt 35 choke points and restore the canal's original 19-metre width, reduced to five in some spots due to encroachments. Eviction notices have been issued, and the canal depth will be increased by up to five ft.
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