Chennai ECR Flooded with Sewage Delayed Solutions
Chennai’s East Coast Road (ECR), a bustling stretch that serves as the gateway for residents and tourists alike, has been facing an escalating sewage overflow crisis. A daily occurrence, the problem has worsened in Neelankarai as illegal settlements discharge wastewater into the stormwater drains (SWD) designed to carry rainwater. While the highways department is working to rebuild old drains, the disruption of links between interior roads and the main road has compounded the issue, causing raw sewage to spill out onto the ECR itself.
On a typical day, as observed last Wednesday, a 20m-30m stretch of ECR near Kapaleeswarar Nagar is flooded with untreated sewage, blocking traffic and causing major inconvenience to pedestrians and drivers. This ongoing issue has persisted for months, especially since the commencement of the stormwater drain project. As the work progresses, construction on the drains has caused critical disruptions, particularly in areas like Neelankarai, where settlements lack proper sewage connections. Metrowater officials are regularly deploying super sucker machines to clear the sewage, but this temporary fix has not resolved the larger systemic issue.
According to Arun, a Metrowater engineer from the area, the lack of proper sewage connections in Neelankarai is a significant factor in the problem. “Most houses here are linked illegally to the older kuccha drains of the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), discharging an estimated 12,000 litres of sewage into the ECR drains daily,” he said. While Metrowater continues its efforts to clear the sewage, local residents argue that stricter penalties need to be imposed on households that bypass the installation of septic tanks. This informal discharge not only creates unsanitary conditions but also reduces the effective capacity of the drainage system.
The sewage overflow also creates physical and logistical challenges. Without pavements in place, the road width is reduced from 16-23 metres to just 10-14 metres, forcing pedestrians onto the already congested road. This compromises both pedestrian safety and the overall traffic flow. K. Suresh Kumar, a local resident, added, “Only half of the houses here have septic tanks. The older homes and illegal settlements rely on drains, and this is a problem that the GCC needs to address urgently.” This has had a detrimental effect on local businesses as well, with cafes, botanical gardens, and grocery stores situated along the ECR facing a constant battle to maintain clean and welcoming premises.
In response, Metrowater is undertaking a 500-crore underground sewage project that promises to expand the city’s network by 40 km, aiming to benefit approximately one lakh residents along the ECR. However, even as this project moves forward, there is concern over the delay in the completion of the ongoing highways stormwater drain work, which is expected to finish by 2025. The Greater Chennai Corporation, for its part, has also announced plans for a comprehensive 666-crore SWD project that will address both the non-sea side of ECR and the interior roads. This ambitious project is expected to commence within the next month, which, if completed on time, may alleviate the situation. But the question remains: will these solutions be enough to combat the larger structural issues tied to urban planning and unregulated settlement growth?
From a sustainability and civic responsibility angle, this issue highlights the pressing need for efficient waste management and better coordination between city authorities and residents. Chennai’s rapid urbanisation demands a well-integrated sewage and drainage system that ensures clean water access and prevents environmental hazards. The delay in these projects exacerbates an already dire situation, with untreated sewage flowing onto one of the city’s busiest roads, contributing to pollution and health risks. A more proactive approach, including stricter enforcement of regulations against illegal waste discharge, is essential for sustainable urban growth.
In sum, the sewage overflow issue on ECR is symptomatic of broader systemic problems, where urban planning has failed to keep pace with the growth of informal settlements. Immediate action, clear policies, and sustainable infrastructure are necessary to ensure that such environmental hazards are mitigated in the future, protecting both public health and the city’s urban landscape.
