Corpn to study topography of Kovalam Basin for new drains

According to a Corporation official, there are uncertainties regarding the topography of the areas in which the new drains are to be built. “The LIDAR-based survey will enable the civic body to finalise the hydraulic model before starting the construction,” the official said.

The civic body segregated the project area into three components —M1, M2 and M3. Around 84.2 square kilometres (sqkm) of Pallikaranai Marshland falls under M1 component, while 22.5 sqkm of areas along South Buckingham Canal falls under M2 component. South Coast of the city (10.16 sqkm) falls under M3 component. The German Development Bank (KfW) has approved to fund Rs 1,243 crore to implement the project. The German Development Bank will pay nearly Rs 1,000 crore for M1 and M2 components.

“We have invited bidders to construct the storm water drains in the M3 area. As far as M1 and M2 areas considered, a total of 200 kilometre-network of new drains to be constructed and a consortium of Gauff Ingenieure, DHI Wasy and DHI India is preparing a feasibility study for the M1 and M2. The LIDAR survey will help to prepare the feasibility report,” the official added.

Apart from creating a new storm water drain network, the civic body will also demolish and reconstruct existing drains extending up to 97 kilometres in M1 and M2 area.