CHENNAI: As the corporation staff, anticipating floods, prepared a contingency plan and stationed boats in many parts of the city, people in North Chennai blamed the civic body of step-motherly treatment to this old part of the city. Pointing to the hyacinth filled Captain Cotton canal, they said even after the December floods officials are least bothered to clear the watercourse.
Now, even for a slight shower rain water enters many of the houses, making life miserable.
“Nobody seems to care to desilt this canal. After rains, water level has increased. But flow is affected by the hyacinth resulting in stagnation and a breeding ground of mosquitoes,” said N S Ramachandra Rao, president of Ever Vigilant Residents’ Welfare Association.
After the rains in the last two days, several low lying areas like VOC Nagar, Gandhi Nagar in Pullianthope, Barracks Road and part of Strahans Road on Perambur Barracks Road were inundated. Water has entered into Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board tenements on Sathya Murthy Nagar in Vyasarpadi. The ankle deep water at Ganesapuram subway causes traffic snarls on the stretch.
“After the Vyasarpadi flyover construction, there is no free flow of water in the drains and water enters the houses even for a slight shower. Officials are not bothered about our plight,” said S Anitha, a long time resident.
A corporation official said, the Captain Cotton canal is under the control the Water Resource Department (WRD).
When contacted, WRD officials said the canal is under the control of the corporation.