Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Chennai Begins Drone Survey of 44 Canals Ahead of Monsoon
The Greater Chennai Corporation is using drones to inspect 44 canals.
The survey is being done before the northeast monsoon arrives.
The canals together stretch for 81.81 kilometers.
The drones will look for mud, rubbish, plants and other things blocking the water.
Four or five drones will work each day.
The canals will be checked in different phases.
The pictures and location data will be used to make digital maps.
Officials will use the results to decide where cleaning and repairs are needed first.
The Greater Chennai Corporation has begun surveying 44 canals across Chennai before the northeast monsoon.
The canals have a combined length of 81.81 km and include Kodungaiyur, Mambalam and Pallikaranai canals.
The survey will assess silt, garbage, garden waste, water hyacinth and other obstructions.
Four to five drones will be deployed daily, with the work conducted in phases across assigned stretches.
Survey data will support GIS maps and help prioritize desilting, blockage removal and canal repairs.
- Who
- The Greater Chennai Corporation, led for the launch by Commissioner G.S. Sameeran.
- What
- A drone survey of 44 canals covering 81.81 km has begun.
- When
- The survey was launched on Friday ahead of the northeast monsoon.
- Where
- Across Chennai, initially including the Kodungaiyur North Canal, Veerangal Odai and West Mambalam Canal.
- Why
- To assess obstructions and guide desilting, blockage removal, repairs and measures to maintain water flow.
- Canals surveyed
- 44
- Combined canal length
- 81.81 km
- Daily drone deployment
- Around four to five drones
- Initial survey locations
- Kodungaiyur North Canal, Veerangal Odai and West Mambalam Canal
- Data collected
- Images, videos and geographical information
- Planned uses
- GIS mapping, desilting, blockage removal, repairs and maintaining uninterrupted water flow