Water hyacinth remains challenge as WRD steps up monsoon works

The Water Resources Department (WRD) has expedited work to clear clogged waterways in the city ahead of Northeast monsoon. However, large swathes of water hyacinth remain a challenge, and residents have called for permanent measures to prevent sewage entering the waterways to address the issue.

According to the WRD, nearly 50% of the works, being carried out at a cost of ₹42 crore, has been completed so far. The annual exercise aims at clearing floating waste, debris, and large stretches of aquatic weeds in various major and minor waterways and water bodies in Chennai, its surrounding districts and Cuddalore district.

Of the total 528.44 km of waterways in five districts, nearly 104.74 km of waterways lie within the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) limits. The department has deployed about 400 machines, including floating (amphibious) excavators, to clean the waterways, including Adyar, Cooum, Kosasthalaiyar, and Araniyar rivers and Buckingham Canal.