India, ADB sign $251 million loan for Integrated Urban Flood Management in Chennai

Rajat Kumar Mishra, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Finance, signed the Agreement on Integrated Urban Flood Management for the Chennai-Kosaasthaliyar River Basin Project for the Government of India, while Takeo Konishi, Country Director of ADB’s Residents in India Mission, signed the agreement. Did it Signed for ADB.

After signing the loan agreement, Mishra said the project intervention would help residents of the Chennai-Kosasthalaiyar basin hit by frequent floods, which have destroyed property and livelihoods in recent years. He said building disaster-resilient infrastructure would help communities cope with storm surges caused by heavy rains, high sea level rise and cyclones, and would protect lives, the economy and the environment.

“The project will build flood protection infrastructure and strengthen the capacity of the Greater Chennai Corporation and communities for better preparedness planning to transform Chennai into a more livable city,” Konishi said. “Innovative designs and interventions for climate-resilient flood management have been promoted. With integrated urban planning and enhanced municipal resource mobilization, the project can be widely replicated for other Indian cities that are vulnerable to climate and disaster risks. Huh.”

Chennai’s rapid urbanization has encroached upon the natural landscape of the city, reducing its water retention capacity, leaving the city vulnerable to widespread flooding. The project will establish climate-resilient urban flood protection infrastructure. It will build 588 km of new storm water drains, rehabilitate or replace 175 km of storm water drains, improve stretches of 11 km in the Ambattur, Ariyallur, Kadapakkam and Korattur channels to increase water-carrying capacity, and a storm water drainage system. Will upgrade the water pumping station and build one. New one. It will also build 23,000 catchpits in roadside drains to recharge groundwater aquifers and rehabilitate four disaster relief camps.

By developing guidelines for integrating flood risk zones into spatial and land use planning, implementing a flood citizen observatory for real-time information on flood zones, and creating a manual for green infrastructure design, including rainwater harvesting Flood preparedness will be strengthened. The project aims to increase stakeholder participation including active participation of women in flood preparedness by enhancing community knowledge and awareness of flood risks and impacts and linkages with solid waste management, sewerage and conservation of water bodies.

The technical staff of Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) will also be trained on planning and design of storm water drainage systems and management of solid waste and flood risk. The project will develop a plan to ensure the sustainable operation and maintenance of stormwater drainage systems. The project will also support the GCC to develop a roadmap to strengthen municipal resource mobilization to provide sustainable and quality municipal services to citizens.