As part of flood mitigation measures on Grand Southern Trunk (GST) Road in Pallavaram and Chromepet, work to build culverts with wider vents under railway tracks will commence soon. Sources in the Highways Department said tenders for the project had been called for by the railways.

“A total of five projects to construct culverts with wide vents were proposed. Of these, two on Poonamallee High Road have been completed. While the works below the tracks will be carried out by the railways, the lead drains will be built by the Highways Department,” an official source said.

Jayaraman of Chromepet said flooding during rain had become an annual affair on GST Road, and heavy rain only worsened the situation. “Small vehicles struggle to navigate the waterlogged portions,” he added.

Activist David Manohar said he had been demanding broader vents and more culverts to increase the volume of water drained during rain. “You can see water stagnation for over two hours and traffic jams running to a few kilometres on either side of the road. Encroachments in a Water Resources Department-managed canal have to be removed in Pallavaram near Ponds Company to ensure free flow of water. It used to be 80 feet wide. Now it is hardly a few feet wide. In Chromepet near Vetri Theatre, a culvert has been narrowed owing to water mains and and electricity cables running through it,” he added.

Highways sources said the general area drawing for both the locations had been approved. “A total of ₹7.5 crore has been deposited with the railways for all the works. We hope to complete the construction before the monsoon,” the official said.