Chennai has launched a large-scale overhaul of its storm water drain (SWD) infrastructure across core city areas, ahead of the impending northeast monsoon. With a total investment of ₹224.5 crore, the initiative is aimed at replacing aged systems and connecting fragmented drain networks to strengthen the city’s climate resilience.
The civic body has already floated 86 tenders through May to construct and upgrade drains in vulnerable zones. These works are being financed through both World Bank assistance and internal capital funds. According to city officials, the SWD efforts are being fast-tracked and closely monitored to ensure completion by September, before the first rains hit the region. The plan is to integrate existing and new drains to ensure water flows are channelled effectively, reducing the probability of urban flooding—a recurring challenge in several low-lying neighbourhoods. The city has historically struggled to withstand high-intensity rainfall due to outdated or incomplete drainage grids, often leaving residents marooned and causing substantial damage to homes and businesses.
In parallel to the core city works, larger drainage infrastructure projects are underway in the expanded metropolitan limits. These include the Kovalam basin project covering southern localities like Sholinganallur, and the Kosasthalaiyar basin initiative, which services the northern zones such as Manali, Tiruvottiyur, and Madhavaram. While the city-funded projects are expected to be completed before the monsoon, the basin-level developments—supported by the German Bank and the Asian Development Bank—are experiencing slower progress due to the scale and complexity of the works. Although officials maintain that construction is on track, ground reports from affected neighbourhoods reveal a mix of optimism and fatigue. In localities like Old Washermenpet and Tiruvottiyur High Road, residents report disruptions to daily life and livelihoods, especially among shopkeepers facing reduced foot traffic due to blocked access and incomplete trenching. Business losses and mobility challenges have added to public pressure for quicker execution.
One of the long-running concerns among citizens is the missed timeline of the Kosasthalaiyar basin project, originally scheduled for completion by March 2024. Despite assurances, portions of the work remain unfinished, fuelling anxiety about whether these key systems will be operational in time to manage runoff from peak monsoon showers. This intensified focus on drainage modernisation reflects a broader shift in Chennai’s approach to urban planning—one that recognises the interconnected nature of climate adaptation, infrastructure equity, and public health. By leveraging global funding and better inter-agency coordination, the city hopes to create a robust and sustainable response to its flood-prone geography.
For residents living on the margins of storm-prone areas, the success of these projects could mean the difference between seasonal displacement and secure habitation. As the clock ticks towards October, Chennai’s capacity to convert civil works into lasting climate defence will be watched not just by citizens, but by cities across India facing similar urban flooding threats.
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