Uthandi residents raise concerns over sewage pollution through new flood escape channel

Residents of Uthandi raised their concerns about the proposed channel to divert floodwater to the sea through their neighbourhood, citing the risk of sewage pollution.

The Water Resources Department (WRD) has begun work on a 1.2 km-long flood escape channel from south Buckingham canal near Okkiyam Maduvu to the sea through VGP layout, Uthandi. The project is intended to drain excess water from the Buckingham canal and provide flood relief to areas around the Pallikaranai swamp.

While noting that they were not against flood mitigation projects, residents raised doubts that the channel may end up conveying sewage-mixed water from the Buckingham canal to the sea instead of only flood water. Prabhu Nambiappan, president, Society of Liberals Valuing Environment, a residents’ welfare society in Uthandi, said the channel, which would convey water through VGP Layout, would cause environmental pollution.

Pointing out that the Greater Chennai Corporation has initiated steps to upgrade Uthandi beach into Blue Flag Beach, he said the new channel would pollute the beach and affect marine life.

Residents also complained that the work was being undertaken without public consultation. The underground channel may not be able to handle tidal backflow and could affect groundwater quality.

Surya Sambasivam, secretary, Uthandi VGP Layout phase 1, Owners and Residents’ Welfare Association said pipelines for drinking water supply and sewer network are being laid in the locality. Digging for the floodwater canal is likely to damage the other pipelines.

Residents, who recently held a demonstration, have made representations to the State government seeking relocation of the project to less populated areas. They suggested creating a water body in the recently claimed premises of Madras Race Course, Guindy and widening and dredging of the south Buckingham canal to improve flood carrying capacity.

Some roads, including Amirtha Street and Roja Street- dug up for Chennai Metrowater’s sewer network project- are still waiting for blacktopping for eight months now. The channel work would worsen the situation, they said.

Muthukumar Aiyamperumal, a resident added that the slow pace of work has affected daily life. Motorists often face the risk of skidding on the unpaved first and second main roads because of the sandy surface along the beach.

Sources in the WRD said the channel is designed to convey only excess floodwater during peak flood season. Hydrological aspects, including the high tide levels, have been factored into the channel’s design to prevent backflow. Other projects are underway to expand sewer network and sewage treatment facilities in the neighbourhood.