Delfina Gómez inaugura obra hidráulica en Nezahualcóyotl; beneficiará a más de un millón de habitantes

The governor of the State of Mexico, Delfina Gómez Álvarez, inaugurated the hydraulic project known as the Churubusco-Xochiaca Tunnel in Nezahualcóyotl on Tuesday. The ceremony was attended by Efraín Morales López, director general of the National Water Commission (Conagua). The tunnel is designed to divert stormwater into the regulation lake of the same name, thereby reducing drainage system saturation and mitigating damage caused by heavy rains. The infrastructure benefits over one million residents in the municipalities of Nezahualcóyotl, Chimalhuacán, and Los Reyes La Paz, as well as parts of Iztapalapa district in Mexico City. The project is part of the Integrated Plan for the East of the State of Mexico, launched by President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo. The initiative aims to improve flood prevention and enhance water management capabilities in the region. The tunnel channels rainwater into the Churubusco-Xochiaca regulation lake, preventing the overflow of the drainage system and minimizing the impact of extreme rainfall events. It also reinforces the operation of main collectors in the area. According to officials, the structure includes a collector with a diameter of 2.44 meters, a tunnel measuring five meters in diameter, and a chamber equipped with eight pumps capable of discharging 16,000 liters of water per second. The combined investment exceeded 450 million pesos, funded by contributions from the federal government, the state government, and the municipality of Nezahualcóyotl. Efraín Morales López stated that these specifications strengthen the response capacity during intense rainfall periods. Additional work included clearing and expanding the storage capacity of the Churubusco-Xochiaca and El Salado lakes, which provide greater operational flexibility during the rainy season and improve protection in one of the country's most vulnerable regions to flooding. Authorities also carried out works to clear and expand the storage capacity of the Churubusco-Xochiaca and El Salado lakes, enhancing their ability to manage water flow during peak seasons. These efforts contribute to better flood control and improved resilience against extreme weather conditions. The project represents a coordinated effort among different levels of government to address long-standing challenges related to urban flooding and water resource management. Among the attendees were Beatriz García Villegas, executive member of the State Water Commission (CAEM); Roberto Samuel Capuano Tripp, responsible for the Mexico Valley Water Project under Conagua; and Adolfo Cerqueda Rebollo, mayor of Nezahualcóyotl. Other participants included federal, state, and local authorities who emphasized the importance of collaborative action in tackling environmental and infrastructural issues. The inauguration marks a key milestone in the implementation of the Integrated Plan for the East of the State of Mexico, which seeks to modernize water infrastructure and protect communities from the risks associated with climate variability. The project also contributes to economic revitalization by generating employment opportunities and improving living conditions for residents in the affected areas.