Bridge across the Adyar near Manapakkam likely to be completed in a few months

The Adyar river causeway replacement near Manapakkam is 80% complete, set to open by June or July to prevent flooding.

The long-pending project to upgrade a causeway across the Adyar river near Manapakkam, which contributed to flooding during the 2015 deluge, will be completed in a few months.

The Water Resources Department (WRD) has completed nearly 80% of the work worth ₹24.8 crore to replace the causeway with a bridge across the river.

The work to construct the 175-metre wide, two-lane bridge is being implemented with the funds from the Officers Training Academy, St. Thomas Mount.

Various residential areas, including Kolapakkam and Manapakkam, face flooding whenever the Adyar river swells during peak discharge as the causeway obstructed the flow. In 2015, the river carried a peak flow of about 80,000 cubic feet per second (cusecs).

Residents of Manapakkam noted that portions of the river were widened and banks were strengthened after the 2015 floods. However, the localities continued to be prone to inundation as the causeway is yet to be dismantled.

N. Netaji, a resident of Manapakkam, said areas like L&T Colony, Manapakkam, and Thiruvalluvar Nagar, Mugalivakkam, faced inundation during monsoon. “We got a respite from waterlogging last year as improvement works were carried out. Authorities concerned must ensure that overflows do not affect neighbouring localities,” he said.