CM seeks Rs 1,500cr central funds for drainage project

Julie Mariappan| TNN | Updated: Nov 7, 2017, 00:32 IST

Chennai: While the opposition is strident in its criticism against his government's poor monsoon preparedness, chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Monday blamed unapproved and indiscriminate construction in low-lying areas of Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur for inundation of roads. The Tamil Nadu CM went on to ask for a Rs 1,500 crore from the Centre for a drainage project that would permanently prevent flooding in low lying areas of Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur.

Palaniswami had apprised the flooding situation to Prime Minister Narendra Modibefore his visit to the city.

At the media event at University of Madras on Monday, when the CM urged the PM to extend financial support for the drainage project, Modi assured the state government of all possible support. "I express my condolences and sympathies to the families of all those, who have lost their loved ones, or faced immense hardship in the recent incidents of heavy rain and floods in Chennai and other parts of TN," the PM said.

On Monday, Madurantakam, one of the biggest irrigation tanks in Kancheepuram almost reached its full storage capacity and the district administration sounded a red alert to the adjoining 21 villages. The water level stood at 22.8ft as against the total storage capacity of 23.3ft. According to PWD sources, 678 tanks in Kancheepuram were beyond the half-storage mark, while 212 reached full capacity. Pillaipakkam and Manimangalam (both in Sriperumbudur taluk), Manamathy, Sirudavur and Thaiyur in Tiruporur reached full capacity.

On the lack of infrastructure despite facing worse floods, Palaniswami said the houses in low-lying areas had not come up overnight. "High-powered motor sets are availed to remove water. It is not easy to provide alternate arrangement (for housing). Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur were villages, where houses were built without approval," he said. The CM pointed out at concrete encroachments that were constructed in the ayacut areas of Narayanapuram tank which were removed after a court order.

On the complaints that people could not voice grievances in the absence of elected local body representatives, Palaniswami said elections to civic bodies would be held after the court verdict.