Loss-hit AIEMA urges to form body to study rainwater flow pattern

“In the recent rain, the units in the north phase of Ambattur Industrial Estate were flooded with more than four feet of water. It happened two days after the rains stopped. It was found that a canal maintained by the PWD that carry surplus water from Ambattur Eri was blocked at the entry point to Korattur,” AIEMA president AN Sujeesh told reporters on Tuesday. He added that the mismatch in the level between a storm water drain and canal resulted in reverse flow of water into Korattur even when the canal was half-filled.

According to the association, the units in the industrial estate that generate an annual revenue of Rs 10,000 crore had lost around Rs 100 crore in two days due to inundation. “We have already told the government, but the departments are delaying.” The association also alleged that the sewage carried by tankers from Tirumullaivoyal, Ambattur, Padi and other areas were clandestinely dumped the waste into the storm water drains in the industrial estate in the early hours.

Urging the government to form a monitoring body comprising members of AIEMA, Chennai Corporation, residents’ associations, PWD and SIDCO to find a solution, it requested the government to widen the canal sufficiently. 

“The Corporation Commissioner had suggested creating soak pits till the neighbouring localities are provided with sewage connections. Or, establish a sewage treatment plant at the exit point of the industrial estate to treat sewage-mixed overflow,” he added. The association, which is in charge of the maintenance of the industrial estate, has already installed two treatment plants in the north phase and reconstructed some drains.