Delay in Keelkattalai surplus course restoration raises flood concerns ahead of monsoon in southern suburbs

Keelkattalai surplus course restoration delayed due to lack of funds, raising concerns over flooding in southern suburbs.

Work to improve the Keelkattalai surplus course, which drains into the Pallikaranai marshland, has been delayed due to a paucity of funds. Raising concerns over recurring floods, residents urged that the work be completed along with other flood mitigation projects in the southern suburbs before the onset of the Northeast monsoon.

The Water Resources Department (WRD) had started work last year to restore the original capacity of the nearly four-kilometre-long Keelkattalai surplus canal, which carries excess water from Keelkattalai tank to Pallikaranai marshland.

Like many other water channels in the neighbourhood, the Keelkattalai canal was heavily silted up and encroached upon, leading to a decrease in its flood-carrying capacity. It also carries floodwater from areas like Madipakkam and Kovilambakkam.

Residents noted that the work to improve the canal has been progressing at a snail’s pace. The delay in the project is expected to worsen the impact of inundation in areas like Kovilambakkam and Sunambu Kolathur during the upcoming monsoon.

V. Subramani, founder of Sabari Green Foundation, a non-governmental organisation engaged in lake conservation efforts, said several low-lying areas along the Thoraipakkam-Pallavaram Radial Road face the threat of waterlogging every year. “The work to improve water channels must be completed in full swing before the rainy season. Water bodies in Tambaram taluk must be deepened to store an additional amount of water,” he added.

Residents like M. Ravi of Sembakkam noted that unless all the surplus courses linking water to Pallikaranai marshland are restored to their original capacity, inundation cannot be reduced. While work is in progress to improve the channel from Sembakkam to Nanmangalam lakes, some sections have been lagging behind.

The restoration of the Keelkattalai surplus course was one of five projects to improve various minor waterways at a total cost of ₹120 crore. While works to improve Malaipattu Somangalam drain and Thirumudivakkam drain are nearing completion, those to restore Keelkattalai surplus course and Meenambakkam drain have made little progress.