Phase I of stormwater drain project in progress: SP Velumani

Chennai: The first phase of integrated stormwater drain network project at a cost of Rs 1,101.43 crore is in progress in Cooum and Adyar basin for a length of 280 km.

A detailed project report had been prepared for Kosasthalaiyaru, Cooum, Adyar and Kovalam basin for a length of 1069 kilometres at a total cost of Rs 4034.30 crore.

The project is aimed at avoiding water inundation by safe disposal of rainwater, integrating the available tanks and lakes for disposal of rainwater, recharging of ground water, rainwater harvesting and upgradation of environmental conditions, according to the policy note tabled by Municipal Administration and Rural Development minister S.P. Velumani in the Assembly.

Under the Chennai Mega City Development Mission, roads to a length of 1,146 kilometres, storm water drain network for 170 km, footpaths to a length of 238 km and installation of 12,952 LED street lights have been completed.

The project is aimed at developing Chennai as a world class city with infrastructure built to international standards. Integrated solid waste management projects had been taken up at a cost of Rs 99 crores for Tambaram, Pallavaram, Sembakkam, Anakaputhur and Pammal on a cluster basis at Venkadamangalam.

Phase-I work of the had been completed and compost and refuse derived fuel plant is in progress. In the second phase, waste to energy project would be taken up with an electrical power output of 2.9 MW. In order to reduce and utilise bio-degradable waste, 33 bio-methanation plants had been taken up at a cost of Rs 30.39 crores.

Amma canteens are benefiting about three lakh poor people every day and 107 more Amma canteens would be opened by October this year. Another major scheme of the government, the Amma drinking water scheme will also get an additional boost with the identification of 30 locations for water dispensing machines.

The Marina beautification project will be completed by October 2016 with ornamental non-corrosive cast iron grill work between the pillars and relaying of footpath abutting the compound wall.

The existing compound wall on the western side corridor of Kamaraj road had been reconstructed, buried pillars are relocated and new pillars will come up wherever necessary.