Chennai Residents Decry Corporation's Inaction on Flood-Prone Encroachments
Nearly a year after a high court directive, residents in Chennai are raising alarms over the Greater Chennai Corporation's failure to remove encroachments along the six-vent culvert on the MRTS-Perungudi Link Road. This culvert serves as a vital outlet for rainwater flowing into the Pallikaranai marshland from neighborhoods including Velachery, Perungudi, and Taramani.
Court Order Ignored, Flood Risks Persist
Locals report that the canal has long struggled with insufficient width and rampant encroachments, exacerbating drainage issues. Compounding the problem, the corporation constructed a pond along the drain three years ago, which residents argue increases the risk of flooding in low-lying areas. M Balakrishnan, general secretary of the TANSI Nagar residents' welfare association, expressed frustration, stating, "We filed a court case in 2023, and orders were issued in 2025, directing authorities to clear the encroachments and assess the feasibility of building an additional culvert to prevent flooding. To date, no action has been taken."
Encroachments Identified but Not Removed
Investigations reveal several buildings in the vicinity marked with yellow and red indicators. Residents confirm that revenue officials identified these structures as encroachments in 2025, yet they remain standing. In a controversial move, the civic agency has fenced off patches of land for beautification projects, planting flowering plants. Balakrishnan questioned this priority, asking, "How can the corporation focus on beautification when there is a clear and present danger of flooding? Removing the encroachments should be the first step."
Official Responses and Denials
Corporation assistant engineer Heartin Rozario responded by stating that the revenue department plans to address the encroachments after the upcoming elections. He denied any flood risks, asserting, "The pond is designed to function as a flood barrier. Since this is a low-lying area, water naturally accumulates from various localities, such as Anna Indira Nagar, TANSI Nagar, and Seshadripuram."
Zone 13 ward committee chairman Durairaj supported this view, noting, "In 2025, there was not even a drop of water on the link road alongside the canal. The pond was built following consultations with experts to manage water flow effectively."
Long-Term Solutions in Progress
An official involved in the matter indicated that steps are underway to identify suitable locations for the proposed additional culvert. However, he emphasized the complexity of the process, explaining, "This is a lengthy undertaking that involves coordination across multiple departments, from planning to execution."
The ongoing delay highlights a broader issue of bureaucratic inertia in addressing urban infrastructure challenges, leaving residents concerned about their safety during monsoon seasons.
