Chennai’s monsoon preparedness has been hindered by administrative delays in acquiring essential heavy-duty equipment, crucial for unclogging canals and clearing waste from key waterways. With canals like Otteri Nullah, Veerangal Odai, and Virugambakkam choked by water hyacinths and silt, councillors have voiced growing concerns about the potential for severe flooding if critical drainage systems remain obstructed during heavy rains. Despite repeated tendering efforts, administrative and technical delays in procuring vehicles such as tippers, earth-movers, and heavy-duty trucks have left the Greater Chennai Corporation scrambling to finalise contracts only as monsoon arrives.
Several councillors, including the Deputy Mayor, raised this issue at the recent council meeting, underscoring the urgency of clearing obstructions ahead of heavy rains. According to a councillor who requested anonymity, tenders floated twice earlier this year for the equipment were subsequently cancelled without explanation from the Mechanical Department. Notably, a pending tender for two amphibian vehicles, essential for desilting and water drainage, remains unfinalised even after a 75-day wait, compelling councillors to suggest that renting such vehicles may only inflate operational costs unnecessarily.
The Corporation has since issued tenders for removing hyacinths and desilting canals in Kodambakkam Zone X and Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar Zone VI. Earth-moving equipment is set to work eight hours a day for a month, costing an estimated ₹44.7 lakh per zone. According to the tender, five earth-movers costing ₹2,735 per hour, along with three tippers at ₹656.25 per hour, aim to improve flood preparedness in areas highly susceptible to waterlogging. However, with delays persisting, the Corporation is under pressure to expedite action and ensure that heavy rains do not overwhelm city infrastructure.
Highlighting the sustainability angle, a senior official confirmed that new tenders have been issued to overcome administrative glitches that previously delayed equipment acquisition. Moreover, the Corporation is exploring the procurement of floaters—vehicles with specialised floating drums and earth-moving attachments—to perform functions similar to amphibians at a lower cost. The approach aligns with a model previously adopted by the Tamil Nadu government and Water Resources Department, which involves compensating contractors on a per-hour basis for equipment like trucks and excavators. This strategy aims to ensure that Chennai’s waterways remain unclogged and cost-effective flood-prevention measures are achieved without recurring tender delays.
These proactive steps, while promising, underscore the urgency for the city to implement comprehensive long-term solutions to address flooding risks. Delays in the supply of essential equipment for drainage systems not only highlight administrative challenges but also bring to light the need for sustainable, streamlined procedures in civic infrastructure planning to minimise flood risks and protect residents from potential climate-related disruptions.
