Over 70% of Chennai’s stormwater drains to be desilted by September-end: GCC

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has announced plans to desilt over 70% of Chennai's stormwater drains by the end of September, according to a report. As of August 28, 2026, the corporation has completed desilting 493.83 km (29.42%) of the total 1,671.6-km network. Work on the remaining 1,177.77 km (65.94%) is ongoing, with a total of 77.29 km (4.62%) already under construction.

Tiruvottiyur has completed the highest proportion at 57.43%, followed by Sholinganallur at 54.87% and Alandur at 46.41%. Anna Nagar has desilted 37.94% of its drains, while Madhavaram, Perungudi, Manali, Valasaravakkam, Ambattur, Adyar, and Royapuram have desilted 34.71%, 30.73%, 30.69%, 28.64%, 28.56%, 24.98%, and 22.08% of their respective stormwater drains.

Only Thiru Vi Ka Nagar, at 17.01%, has lagged behind in the desilting process. The desilting work involves cleaning 8,252 roads through 101 packages, with 2,351 roads already completed and 389 roads currently under progress. Additionally, the GCC has identified 110,082 silt catch-pits for cleaning, with Phase I of the project covering 89% of these pits and Phase II covering 28% as of August 28.

The GCC has been allocated ₹100 crore for monsoon preparedness, including desilting, road restoration, pump deployment, and the hiring of 1,000 seasonal workers.