Tondiarpet, Chennai — People living in Nethaji Nagar, Tondiarpet, are asking the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) to quickly block an illegal pipe that is dumping dirty, untreated sewage into the Buckingham Canal.
Local residents and environmental workers warn that this dirty water creates a huge risk of severe flooding before the rainy season starts. At the same time, it causes heavy damage to the delicate natural environment and wildlife area at Ennore Creek.
Residents and Activists Raise Alarm Over Monsoon Risks
The illegal sewage discharge into the Buckingham Canal has raised deep concerns among local residents who have previously suffered from severe urban flooding.
The residents complain that when the area was hit by monsoon few years back water overflowed from the canal and inundated 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and several other streets in Nethaji Nagar. Waist-level sewage water was recorded in low-lying areas, along with knee-level flooding.
Beyond the immediate neighborhood, environmental advocacy groups point out the wider ecological impact on Chennai’s drainage networks and coastal wetlands.
The untreated sewage carried by the canal eventually flows downstream and settles in the wetlands of Ennore Creek. Thick sewage mud collects at the river mouth, harming sea life and blocking the natural flow of water, which makes storm water drain away much slower across the whole city.
What Steps Are Authorities Taking to Resolve the Issue?
In response to growing public concern, local water supply and civic authorities have outlined targeted infrastructure measures to contain the pollution and restore normal canal flow:
- F4 Sewage Pumping Station Pipeline Upgrade: Metro Water is actively replacing the high-capacity 1,000 mm sewage pipeline connected to the F4 sewage pumping station in Tondiarpet.
- October Completion Deadline: The remaining 160 meters of pipeline replacement work is scheduled for completion by October 2026.
- Plugging and Redirection to Kodungaiyur: Once the new pipe is ready, workers will block the open pipe leading into the canal. All sewage will go to the Kodungaiyur Sewage Treatment Plant to be cleaned properly.
- Cleaning Out the Canal: City workers are also clearing out mud, trash, and floating weeds from the canal bed so rainwater can flow faster without backing up into streets.
Conclusion
Fixing the illegal sewage outfall in the Buckingham Canal is urgent for the safety and health of Tondiarpet residents. Plugging the illegal pipe, finishing the pipeline replacement by October 2026, and cleaning out accumulated silt will help prevent severe street flooding and protect the delicate environment at Ennore Creek. Completing these projects on time is crucial to keep local communities safe and ensure rainwater can drain freely when the monsoons arrive.