“Imagine a waterway stretching as far as the eye can see. That’s the Kommamuru Canal for you”. It has seen empires rise and fall. Let me tell you about its fascinating past.
The Kommamuru Canal is also known as the Buckingham Canal. This navigation canal winds through Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The canal stretches 796 kilometers. That is roughly 495 miles. It runs parallel to India’s southeastern Coromandel Coast.
Now I will tell you an interesting fact about the Kommamuru Canal. The British constructed it piece by piece. Construction spanned from 1806 to 1882. The canal links backwaters along the coast to Chennai’s port. Chennai was formerly known as Madras.
Back in the day the Kommamuru Canal was crucial for trade. Bulky goods like fuel and salt moved along this route. It was the only profitable way to get these commodities to Madras.
But the rise of railroads and highways diminished the Kommamuru Canal’s importance. By the 20th century, parts of the Kommamuru Canal fell into disrepair. Tropical cyclones damaged the canal, and repairs proved too expensive. Pollution from industry and sewage became a major problem. The Kommamuru Canal became unusable for many.
Did you know that the Kommamuru Canal can only handle crafts drawing less than 1 meter of water? Construction has also narrowed it, especially near Chennai.
But the story doesn’t end there for the Kommamuru Canal. In the 21st century, there’s renewed interest in the canal. People see its potential to reduce seasonal flooding. It could also lessen the impact of tsunamis. The government has started improvement projects.
The first section of the Kommamuru Canal dates back to 1806. It was a saltwater navigation canal stretching 18 kilometers from Madras to Ennore. Initially, it was called Cochrane’s Canal. Basil Cochrane financed it. In 1837, the government of Madras Presidency took over the canal. They extended it further.
During the Great Famine of 1877-78, the Kommamuru Canal played a role. Connecting the Adyar and Cooum rivers, an 8-kilometer stretch was built as famine relief work. This project cost ₹3 million. The canal was renamed the Buckingham Canal in 1878.
The Kommamuru Canal’s course runs about 1 kilometer back from the coastline. It connects natural backwaters. Tidal waters feed it from the sea through rivers and creeks. The Cooum River links the Kommamuru Canal to the Bay of Bengal.
Cyclones in 1965, 1966, and 1976 damaged the Kommamuru Canal. It became polluted with sewage and industrial waste. Silt buildup stagnated the water. This created breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
However, during the 2004 tsunami, the Kommamuru Canal served as a buffer zone. It regulated tsunami waves along a 310-kilometer stretch of coastline. The canal filled with tsunami water, which then receded. This action helped save lives in coastal Andhra Pradesh and Chennai.
Today, efforts are underway to revive the Kommamuru Canal. It is part of National Waterway 4. The government is dredging and widening the canal. The goal is to restore its navigability and protect coastal communities.
The Kommamuru Canal stands as a reminder of past glory. It shows resilience in the face of challenges. The Kommamuru Canal will hopefully serve Chennai for centuries to come.