Drains along M.G. Road will be widened enough to increase their carrying capacity to accommodate water from intense spells of rain within a short period as experienced during recent years.
This will be one of the works to be undertaken by the Public Works department (PWD) using the ₹10 crores to be sanctioned under Operation Breakthrough (OBT). Renovated drains with footpath atop and twin duct for utilities, including one exclusively for the KSEB, will be part of the works. The PWD will seek technical sanction once the amount is credited to its account.
Out of the 9.40-km stretch of M.G. Road, 2.60 km from Pharmacy Junction is likely to be covered in the initial phase. The PWD prefers a left side-oriented work considering that more shops are on that side, and, therefore, pedestrians are also likely to be more there.
“M.G. Road has traditionally suffered from lack of flow of water through the drain leading to waterlogging warranting slope correction. Also, the unscientific installation of prefabricated drains on an existing drain has affected the proper drainage of water into the drains, which also need to be corrected. Missing slabs on the footpath also need to be replaced,” said Mayor M. Anilkumar.
The works will be carried out in accordance with a detailed project report (DPR) for drains along M.G. Road, prepared by the PWD two years ago after the Mayor wrote to the Public Works Minister. However, as per the DPR, the total cost of the works is ₹16 crore. “A meeting will be held with the Minister to explore ways to secure the remaining ₹6 crore needed to complete the project,” said Mr. Anilkumar.
A proposal worth around ₹20 crores for laying an eastern-centric outlet to discharge water from the drains directly to the backwaters also remains pending. At present, the discharge outlet through M.G. Road is west-centric. The proposal is to draw an outlet from near the South railway station across M.G. Road directly to the backwaters through DH Road.
A majority of OBT works have been focused on the restoration of Mullassery Canal, resolving waterlogging near High Court Junction, and the construction of a culvert at Kammattipadam.
Published – July 17, 2025 01:37 am IST
