Tiruchi Corporation begins desilting of stormwater drain network
Tiruchi and its surrounding areas have witnessed intermittent rainfall for the past few weeks. In order to avoid waterlogging in the city, the Corporation has expedited steps to ensure free flow of water in stormwater drains.
Desilting machinery and excavators are being engaged to clear the slit in wide drains, while manual cleaning is being employed at places where the drains are small, especially in residential areas. Officials say the sanitation workers are desilting the drains on a regular basis. A special team has also been constituted to clean drains to prevent clogging.
Out of 1,420 km of Corporation roads in the city, stormwater drains exist for over 800 km. Sources say the silt and blockages accumulated along about five to 10 km stretch of drains are being desilted daily. The drive is being taken up simultaneously in all five zones. Desilting of 257 km long major drains and channels will be carried out in the coming weeks. The desilting drive will be completed before the onset of the northeast monsoon, a senior official said.
For improving the stormwater drain infrastructure in the city, the Corporation in its budget for the financial year 2025-26, has allocated ₹32.50 crore from the General Funds to construct drains for a length of 52 km. Each ward had been allocated ₹50 lakh for the project. A tender has been floated to take up the construction of stormwater drains for 12 km length.
Similarly, a detailed project report has been prepared for the construction of 8.5 km of new stormwater drains in wards 55, 56, 57, 58, and 60 at a sum of ₹71.92 crore to prevent flooding during the monsoons.
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