Thu Jul 24 00:30:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
Residents in the Chennai Metropolitan Area are increasingly concerned about the slow pace of flood mitigation projects as the Northeast monsoon season approaches. Key issues include delays in constructing retaining walls along the Adyar River, repairing damaged roads, and expediting work on crucial infrastructure projects like check dams and canal links. Encroachments along canals and pollution of water bodies like Korattur Lake and Pallikaranai Marshland are further exacerbating the problem. Comparisons are being drawn to successful river restoration projects like the Seine in France, highlighting the need for more effective and timely action in Chennai. Industrial areas, particularly SIDCO, are also vulnerable, having suffered significant losses in previous floods.
**News Article:**
**Chennai Residents Fear Flooding as Monsoon Approaches, Blame Delayed Mitigation Projects**
**CHENNAI, July 24, 2025** – With the Northeast monsoon season looming, residents across the Chennai Metropolitan Area are voicing growing alarm over the slow progress of critical flood mitigation projects. Concerns range from the lack of retaining walls along the Adyar River to unrepaired roads and delayed infrastructure work.
“We are worried about the delays. We need retaining walls to avoid water overflowing from Adyar River during monsoon season” said V. Rajasekaran, president of the Federation of Varadharajapuram Residents’ Welfare Associations.
Residents are particularly concerned about the failure to construct a retaining wall to prevent the Adyar River from overflowing, with officials citing funding shortages. The Varadharajapuram Link Road, a crucial thoroughfare, remains riddled with potholes, increasing the risk of accidents. Furthermore, work on the Amarambedu check dam and the linking of the Nehru Nagar Canal with the Kodungaiyur Canal are progressing slowly.
The encroachment of canals like Erukkencherry and pollution of water bodies are compounding the problem. Residents are highlighting the urgent need for clearing encroachments and restoring these waterways, drawing parallels to the successful eco-restoration of the Seine River in France.
“The government of France reportedly spent around ₹1,405 crore on the eco-restoration of the Seine River. Chennai also needs to follow on their footsteps.” a resident of Chennai posted on social media.
“Flooding will occur this year due to delays in building three culverts” warned AIADMK councillor J. John regarding the Korattur area. The delay is blamed on a dispute between the Chennai Corporation and the Railways over funding.
The industrial sector is also bracing for potential losses. SIDCO industries suffered a loss of ₹2,000 crore during the previous floods. The industrial representatives had met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman, and the Railways agreed to construct the culverts. Unless the Chennai Corporation pays money to the Railways for their construction, the flood mitigation work will not be completed, said Mr. John.
As the monsoon season nears, residents are urging civic agencies and the government to expedite these crucial projects to prevent a repeat of past flooding disasters.
First Piper 