Hundreds of silt catch pits irreparably damaged owing to poor maintenance in Chennai

Owing to the lack of maintenance in the past few years, many silt catch pits have been irreparably damaged in various zones of Chennai city, increasing the risk of flooding in these areas. The damaged pits pose danger to pedestrian safety.

Ward 104 councillor T.V. Shemmozhi said the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has started mechanical cleaning of catch pits in his ward. They have identified 560 locations in Anna Nagar and attempted cleaning 450 pits. However, 150 of these pits have been irreparably damaged due to heavy vehicle movement and also as they have remained clogged for many years. So, the work could not be completed in these, he said. The residents have demanded restoration of the damaged silt catch pits. They have demanded maintenance every three months, he added.

AIADMK councillor J. John said 10% of the silt catch pits in ward 84 in Korattur were found damaged while mechanical cleaning was taken up in the past few days.

Velachery resident S. Kumararaja said many of the silt catch pits in his neighbourhood have been damaged, including in Pillayar Koil Street, Annai Indira Nagar. Geetha Ganesh, secretary of AGS Colony Residents Welfare Association, Velachery West, said that the machines have been effective in cleaning the silt catch pits in major roads but could not clean ones on narrow streets.

Chennai Corporation officials said the civic body has cleaned 54,000 out of 1.07 lakh silt catch pits in the past two weeks utilising machines. Six more machines will reach Chennai from Mumbai for mechanical cleaning of storm water drains. “Starting July 1, the mechanical cleaning of storm water drains will start in Chennai. Each GCC region will get two machines, and the number will be increased in a few weeks,” an official said.

Former professor of Urban Engineering in Anna University K.P. Subramanian said, “The GCC can prepare a strategic damage management plan to repair the silt catch pits. Make an inventory of the damage by locating it using GPS and photographing. The area can be cordoned off with a lit warning board to prevent accidents. Urgent action to replace the damaged catch pits and quality checks for free flow thereafter.”

“The corporation should conduct awareness campaigns to citizens, involving residents’ welfare associations to act as watchdogs to inform damages, when caused. Last, but not the least, it should take penal actions to bring accountability to the public and employees,” he added.