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In Chennai, robot excavator removes 4700 tonnes of silt from city's waterways

Chennai corporation carried out desilting work of its drains and canals with the help of unmanned robotic excavator machines and 4700 tonnes of silt and hyacinth have been removed.

TN City Desk

Updated Sep 19, 2022, 19:36 IST

Photo: Greater Chennai Corporation

Chennai: The Greater Chennai Corporation (GGC) carried out a silt removal drive in its rivers and canals to rejuvenate them before the onset of the northeast monsoon. More than 4700 tonnes of silt and hyacinth from the city's streams have been removed, the civic authorities said. What is to be noted is that the desilting was done with unmanned robotic excavator machines.

Nearly 25 streams and canals including those in Trustpuram, Virugambakkam and Teynampet have been created off the silt now, ensuring a proper flow of water. As much as 4775 tonnes of silt and hyacinth have been removed from the water bodies, a press release by the corporation stated. From the Mambalam Canal alone, around 750 tonnes of silt have been removed. The GCC also tweeted photographs of the unmanned excavators clearing the streams.

"We are tirelessly working towards clearing all the drains and waterways within the corporation limit before the monsoon arrives. Several tonnes of silt and other materials have been cleared from these canals. The exercise is being done using robotic excavators and other modern equipment," a senior GCC official said. The Northeast monsoon is expected to bring heavy showers in Chennai from October to November.

The Chennai corporation has also taken measures to clear collection wells in seven major subways such as the Alandur Road subway, Duraisamy Subway, Rangarajapuram two-wheeler subway, Madley subway, Ganeshapuram subway, Harrington Road subway and Villivakkam subway. The collection wells collect excess rainwater to allow free traffic and the water will be pumped out from the wells once the rain stops.

The GCC is also planning to desilt 1,055 kilometres of stormwater drains. The Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (Metrowater) has also taken up a similar drive to desilt sewer lines before the monsoon.

"With a collective effort, we can hopefully ensure that no pockets in the city will be under the water when the monsoon arrives,” the civic official added.

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