Bridge Work Hampers Drainage, Residents Fear Floods in Chennai

The ongoing bridge project on Anna Salai in Chennai has inadvertently slowed water flow in the Vayasarpaadi canal that runs alongside Shastri Nagar’s First Street. Construction crews have temporarily sealed off portions of the channel, causing rainwater to pool in nearby lanes and residential blocks.

Coupled with a thick mat of water hyacinth that has been proliferating unchecked for several months, the canal’s capacity to convey runoff has been severely reduced. Stagnant water has turned the canal into a foul‑smelling basin, fostering mosquito breeding and raising public‑health alarms.

Local residents voiced their concerns, noting that nightly dumping of waste into the canal further narrows the already restricted passage. They urged the Greater Chennai Corporation to intervene quickly, clearing both the invasive plants and the trash before the next bout of heavy rain.

One resident commented, “The bridge works blocked the flow, and now water is standing in our streets after each shower. The hyacinth and garbage make the situation unbearable.” Another resident appealed for temporary drainage arrangements until the bridge construction is fully completed.

Municipal officials reported that work on the bridge’s left side is complete, while the right side is progressing. They have requested a robotic excavation unit capable of ripping out the dense vegetation. The deployment of this equipment will commence as soon as it reaches the site, aiming to restore normal water movement before the monsoon peaks.