Work regarding demarcating Buckingham canal in Chennai- Whats going on now?
Posted on: 17/Oct/2023 9:36:54 AM
As a preliminary step for comprehensive restoration of the Buckingham canal and for sustainable flood management, WRD or Water Resources Department is now busy in demarcating the boundaries of various stretches of the canal in Chennai.
It is now brought out by WRD that the 47.5km canal would be improved to carry additional flow of floodwater in the first phase. Till now, WRD has completed 40% of the work in the north and south portions up to Marakkanam. There would be erection of boundary stones as a part of the demarcation work.
To keep an eye on the changes in the land use, the WRD has carried out DGPS or differential global positioning system survey of the canal. The stiff resistance from the residents have stopped the WRD from marking the boundaries at the central part of the canal. From 25m width in various stretches, the Buckingham canal has been reduced to 10m due to the railway stations etc.
Functional flood carrier:
It is noteworthy that in the first phase the Buckingham canal would be developed as a functional flood carrier by removing heavy sedimentation and solid waste etc. A flood protection wall would be built.
To restore its original width of 23m, the Buckingham canal must be dredged for a minimum of 2 feet. To prevent floodwaters from other canals entering the Buckingham canal during its peak flow, lock arrangements would be provided.
The important piece of information is that WRD has got plans to build 11 straight canals in several places in Chennai. The main aim would be to drain the floodwater collected in the urban places into the sea directly. To avert inundation, rainwater flowing into the Buckingham canal would be diverted and transmitted to the sea through channels. It was revealed by some WRD officers that channels would be built in Thiruvottiyur, Triplicane, Injambakkam and Uthandi etc.
