Mon Jun 30 10:32:40 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) Council has approved a ₹6.93 crore project to desilt the Captain Cotton Canal in Ward 37 of Tondiarpet Zone (IV). The project aims to clear weeds, debris, and sewage blockages that have turned the canal into a dumping ground. The approved resolution includes costs for the desilting work, unforeseen expenses, the Tamil Nadu Construction Workers Welfare Board, and Goods and Services Tax (GST). Concerns have been raised about waste accumulation under bridges and the lack of complete recording of specific project details.

**News Article:**

**Chennai Set to Desilt Captain Cotton Canal with ₹6.93 Crore Project**

**Chennai, June 30, 2025** – The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) Council has given the green light to a ₹6.93 crore initiative to desilt the heavily polluted Captain Cotton Canal in Tondiarpet Zone (IV), Ward 37. The move comes after reports highlighted the canal’s transformation into a dumping ground due to weeds, debris, and illegal sewage connections.

The approved resolution outlines a ₹5.8 crore allocation for the core desilting work, supplemented by funds for potential unforeseen expenses (₹2 lakh), contributions to the Tamil Nadu Construction Workers Welfare Board (₹5.8 lakh), and Goods and Services Tax (GST), which accounts for over ₹1 crore of the total budget.

According to prior reporting, Ezhil Nagar’s canal feeding into Captain Cotton is significantly impaired by weeds, garbage, and the unlawful disposal of sewage. The pollution has intensified due to waste discarded by motorists and untreated wastewater from nearby residences.

While the GCC assures the project’s efficacy, questions remain concerning waste removal under bridges and the finalization of overhead, supervision, and quality control costs within the overall budget. The desilting is hoped to significantly improve water flow and sanitation for residents in the Tondiarpet Zone.

This project is a welcome step as the Chennai Corporation is hoping to improve the public health and environmental conditions in the area.

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