Parts of Velachery, Chennai, are at risk of flooding due to a congested storm-water drain and damages to the drainage network linked to a culvert that diverts water to the Palliakaranai marshland. Residents express concerns as the Greater Chennai Corporation has failed to desilt a portion of the drain under its jurisdiction, and the drain network running along the Station Service Road from Velachery to Taramani stations has suffered damage, accumulating garbage and construction debris.
This drain network is vital for diverting rainwater in Division 177 to the Pallaikaranai marshland. While storm-water drains in Baby Nagar, Bharani Street, Annai Indira Nagar, and Bhuvaneshwari Nagar have been constructed by the Corporation and connected to the Southern Railway’s drain network, the latter remains neglected and clogged.
Social activist S. Kumararaja warns that this could lead to rainwater stagnation and subsequent flooding in many areas, urging the civic body to expedite desilting and maintenance. Southern Railway officials have repeatedly requested the Corporation to take over and maintain the Station Service Road, to no avail. The Corporation has pledged to look into the road takeover request and accelerate drain desilting efforts.