CHENNAI: A special operation to desilt and widen the mouth of the Adyar River is underway on a "war footing" following a surprise inspection and subsequent directive from the Chief Minister on Friday.

The work, initially begun by the Water Resources Department (WRD) in September ahead of the Northeast Monsoon, was accelerated after the CM's visit. The primary goal is to clear silt deposits that consistently accumulate at the river mouth due to wave action, which impedes the smooth flow of floodwater into the sea.

To expedite the process, the Chief Minister ordered the deployment of additional machinery. Consequently, the number of machines has been progressively increased since the evening of Friday. The operation now involves a significant fleet, including 12 poclaine machines and 4 JC

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