Drain project stuck, Madurai stares at another disruptive monsoon

Madurai: The northeast monsoon is about a month away, but pre-monsoon showers have exposed Madurai city's clogged channels and poor desilting, causing widespread waterlogging across neighbourhoods. Meanwhile, the city's ambitious stormwater drain project remains mired in delay.

Of Madurai's 1,710km of roads, only 512.5km have stormwater drains. While 364km have drains on one side, just 148.5km are covered on both sides — leaving most roads vulnerable to stagnation during heavy rain. Residents say it was more than a year and a half ago that the corporation appointed a consultant to prepare a detailed project report (DPR). The DPR proposes an investment of ₹3,372 crore to be implemented in three phases, but it is still under consideration. "Every time they show us the DPR and large projects. What we really need is desilting and drains in critical stretches before the monsoon," said transportation activist T Nageshwaran.


Lack of proper drains has left extension areas particularly vulnerable. Residential localities such as Thasildar Nagar, Sadashiva Nagar, Sellur, Yagappa Nagar, Gomathipuram, Avaniyapuram, Pykara, and New and Old Vilangudi Road reported severe water stagnation. "In Yagappa Nagar, the corporation dug up roads for drinking water pipeline works. Now the rain has made them slushy and unsafe to ride," said Selva Rani, a resident.

Core areas of Madurai south and central zones are reeling under neglected desilting. Key stretches of Kamarajar Salai, Palam Station Road, Alagar Kovil Main Road, Panagal Road, PT Rajan Road, 80 Feet Road in KK Nagar, and 60 Feet Road in Sellur witnessed heavy stagnation due to blocked channels. "Many corporation roads are developed without aligning the slope with drain networks. This prevents water from reaching Vaigai river and causes stagnation. For the past two years, except for a small stretch in Madurai east, no new stormwater drain work was executed," said Nageshwaran.

"We asked for basic desilting and new drains in low-lying areas. Unless that is done, mega projects won't help," said S S Bose, a member of Meenakshi Nagar Residents' Association, who participated in the DPR consultation in April. A senior corporation engineering official said 181 low-lying points have been identified. "We desilted many channels ahead of the monsoon. But indiscriminate dumping of waste by the public continues to choke drains. Construction debris and sand dust entering the channels are also major issues. We have deployed dedicated teams with sanitary workers to clear them," the official said. Another challenge is sewage entering stormwater drains in a few areas. "We have identified those points and are clearing them on priority," the official added.