Sat Oct 11 16:19:01 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing and rewriting the provided text:
**Chennai Residents Celebrate Progress on Long-Awaited Stormwater Drain Upgrade**
**Chennai, October 11, 2025:** Residents of Karpagam Gardens in Besant Nagar, Chennai, are breathing a collective sigh of relief as significant progress is made on the long-awaited upgrade to their stormwater drain (SWD) network. Visible signs of the construction, including newly installed precast concrete blocks, are evident at the intersection of Karpagam Gardens First Main Road and Besant Avenue Road.
For years, residents have voiced concerns that the existing SWD system was inadequate to handle heavy monsoon rains, leading to flooding and disruption. Parts of the old infrastructure had even collapsed, exacerbating the problem. The Karpagam Gardens Welfare Association, along with concerned residents like Abhishek V.N., have been actively advocating for a comprehensive overhaul.
“The existing stormwater drain network had collapsed in at least three places,” explained Abhishek V.N. “Based on our request, the Corporation has revamped the entire network and expanded the drain to handle the additional rains.”
The new SWD system utilizes precast blocks to traverse Besant Avenue Road, continuing in situ towards its eventual outlet into the Adyar River. The drain’s route includes Ramaswamy Garden Road and Vasatha Press Road, passing near Shankara School and Malar Hospital.
The upgraded network’s significance extends beyond Karpagam Gardens. According to residents, the interconnected system also clears rainwater from the neighboring Shastri Nagar area, providing a crucial drainage route to the Adyar River and the Buckingham Canal near the MRTS line.
“This drain network also clears rainwater from Shastri Nagar due to interconnectedness, and this is the route for the stormwater to reach Adyar river. Another network in Shastri Nagar connects to the Buckingham Canal near the MRTS line.”
While the project faced delays, reportedly due to necessary permissions, residents are optimistic that the completed SWD will significantly improve flood management in the area. The final junction work at the intersection of Besant Avenue Road and Karpagam Gardens First Main Road is currently underway, signaling the imminent completion of the revitalized system.
**About *The Hindu*:** *The Hindu* is a leading Indian newspaper providing in-depth coverage of national and international news, business, technology, science, health, and culture. This article falls under *The Hindu*’s Chennai Downtown / civic infrastructure section.
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