Greater Chennai Corporation Allocates ₹100 Crore for Monsoon Preparedness

The Greater Chennai Corporation has set aside ₹100 crore for precautionary measures ahead of the Northeast Monsoon and El Niño. Officials have been directed to complete all preparatory works by the end of September in coordination with multiple service departments.

The Greater Chennai Corporation has allocated ₹100 crore to execute comprehensive precautionary measures across the city in view of the upcoming Northeast Monsoon and El Niño phenomenon.

A decision was taken in this regard in a recent review meeting chaired by Corporation Commissioner G S Sameeran, a senior official from the Corporation stated on Sunday.

Accordingly, the Commissioner directed officials from various service departments—including Water Resources, Highways, Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB), Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation (TNPDCL), Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), and Southern Railway—to work in close coordination and complete all preparatory works by the end of September.

Out of the total allocation, ₹22.46 crore has been designated to desilt stormwater drains covering a total distance of 1,671 km. Additionally, ₹10 crore has been sanctioned directly to local administrative units, allocating ₹5 lakh per ward for localised disaster mitigation.

Furthermore, ₹22 crore has been set aside for region-wise tenders to repair and restore damaged road stretches. An amount of ₹26.53 crore has been earmarked through tenders to hire and deploy 150 units of 100 HP pumps and 500 tractor-mounted pumps in low-lying areas.

The Corporation has also sanctioned ₹4.65 crore to hire temporary personnel for operating pumps and water storage tanks. Over 1,000 extra workers will be engaged for monsoon-related emergency duties, alongside an allotment of ₹15 lakh to conduct aerial drone surveys of canals to assess obstruction points and streamline clearance work.

Additionally, about ₹60 lakh has been designated to procure 15,000 emergency kits containing essential commodities for flood-affected families, according to the official.

"This proactive financial allocation by the Greater Chennai Corporation highlights the critical importance of early resource planning and cross-departmental coordination in mitigating large-scale operational disruptions. For businesses, urban resilience and timely infrastructure management are vital factors that directly impact continuity, supply chains, and local economic stability during seasonal weather challenges." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes