1,671 km of stormwater drains being desilted: Chennai Mayor

Chennai Mayor R. Priya informed the council that the desilting of 1,671 kilometers of stormwater drains is underway, with an estimated cost of ₹22.46 crore. This project aims to enhance the city's preparedness for the upcoming monsoon season. Mayor Priya allocated ₹10 crore for monsoon precautionary works, distributed across 139 wards at ₹5 lakh per ward.

Additionally, ₹22 crore has been set aside for repairing and resurfacing damaged roads, while another ₹26.53 crore is proposed for hiring 150 100-horsepower pumps and 500 tractor-mounted pumps to deal with flooding in low-lying areas. A budget of ₹4.65 crore has been allocated to employ temporary personnel to operate pumps and water tanks.

A drone survey worth ₹15 lakh is currently being conducted to verify the progress of the desilting works and ensure the proper disposal of silt and garbage. Mosquito-control workers have been deployed, and adequate quantities of larvicides have been stocked for fogging in vulnerable areas. Pamphlets on disease prevention during the rainy season will be distributed, with health inspectors working to raise awareness about the measures being taken.