SWD network in Karpagam Gardens ‘moves forward’

The stormwater drain network at Karpagam Gardens in Besant Nagar was in a form of limbo. It is now making progress, moving towards a monsoon outcome long sought by residents. Evidence of the progress is visible at the junction of Karpagam Gardens First Main Road and Besant Avenue Road.

A stormwater drain, made up of precast blocks, moves transversely from this junction to the other side of Besant Avenue Road, where the SWD line continues for a while, being constructed in situ, and travels further towards its ultimate destination, the Adyar river.

“The stormwater drain from Karpagam Gardens crosses Besant Avenue Road opposite the Enfield showroom and goes inside Ramaswamy Garden Road and cuts left into Vasatha Press Road (where Shankara school is located). It then cuts right opposite Malar and then exits into Adyar river,” says Abhishek V.N., a resident of Karpagam Gardens who has been tracking this issue along with the key members of Karpagam Gardens Welfare Association.

Karpagam Gardens residents had for long reiterated that the existing SWD network was not of dimensions that could take heavy inflow of stormwater.

A transversely moving SWD consisting of precast blocks has been constructed from south side of Besant Avenue Road to the north side (landmark: a police booth). Karpagam Gardens residents have for long reiterated that the existing SWD had collapsed. Hence the transversely moving SWD. A SWD being constructed in situ takes the baton next. The images were taken on October 10, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
PRINCE FREDERICK

“Besides, the existing stormwater drain netowrk had collapsed in at least three places — on the Shankara school side, near the Ramaswamy Garden Road junction and Besant Avenue Road junction,” observes Abhishek.

“Based on our request, the Corporation has revamped the entire network and expanded the drain to handle the additional rains. The final junction work at the Besant avenue crossing Karpagam Garden First Main Road is being carried out now which will complete the network. The final work took a while reportedly due to permissions that had to be given,” he adds.

The significance of the SWD network in Karpagam Gardens extends beyond the neighbourhood.

Abhishek on the why of it.

“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.”