Chennai Corporation’s Ambitious Sewerage System Overhaul Faces Challenges

The Chennai Corporation is gearing up for a significant infrastructure project aimed at revamping the sewerage system in core city areas like Anna Nagar, Teynampet, Kodambakkam, Royapuram, Adyar, Thiru Vi Ka Nagar, and Tondiarpet. This initiative, slated to begin later this year, involves extensive road digging to replace aging infrastructure designed four decades ago. Officials emphasize the project’s necessity due to widespread complaints of sewage overflows and groundwater pollution affecting over 15,000 streets.

Local councillors, such as GCC Ward 104’s T.V. Shemmozhi, highlight the urgent need for improved systems to accommodate the city’s expanded population and building density, citing numerous instances of well water contamination and sewage issues in residential areas. Despite preparations, managing disruptions to traffic flow and ensuring seamless pedestrian movement during construction remain critical challenges for the upcoming overhaul.