Chennai
The department has already prepared a blueprint. According to PWD sources, last December’s rain and consequent floods devastated the Chennai region as a result of breach of lakes and swollen rivers causing devastation of residential colonies.
PWD sources said that considering the fact that the link canals would serve the purpose in terms of saving water, it would also put an end to flooding, as excess water in the lakes would be released to low-level lakes whenever required.
A senior engineer at the WRD, Palar Basin Circle, told DT Next that “it is a fact that every lake, tank and reservoir would have surplus canals. While all lakes have surplus channels, there are no link canals.”
The engineer also added that they were taking all measures to improve water resources and prevent natural calamities. “After the government sanctions funds, works will be in full swing. The cost of the project will be Rs 75 crore.”
“We found that an existing link canal, created decades ago between Poondi reservoir and Chembarambakkam lake, was in a shambles. We took up temporary renovation works. However, the link canal will get facelift as soon as new canal project goes on stream,” said another engineer, requesting anonymity.
The engineer also pointed out that they would create new link canals in the other three lakes of Greater Chennai.
According to the new plan, a link canal would be created from Poondi Reservoir to Chembarambakkam, while Poondi Reservoir would have another link canal to Cholavaram lake, which in turn would be linked to Red Hills. Likewise, there would be a link canal between Chembarambakkam and Porur lake.
“Forming link canals or channels can be easy. But when it comes to maintenance, the problem emerges. So, it is imperative for the authorities to monitor the damage and encroachment of water bodies,” said MP Duraisamy, a member of the Tamil Nadu PWD Retired Engineers Association.
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