CHENNAI: While the rest of the city sits back and waits for the government to take measures against floods, school students in the city decided to get their own hands dirty to ensure that things improve. Over 900 students from three SBIOA schools conducted a survey of storm-water drains in three large localities in the city- Villivakam, Mogappair and Anna Nagar. They followed this up by conducting a cleaning programme a week later.
The idea was initiated by Thomas Franco Rajendra Dev, secretary and correspondent of SBOA schools. A total number of 928 students belonging to different clubs such as the NCC, NSS, eco clubs and social service clubs conducted the survey on October 15 and 16 under the guidance of 90 teachers.
“The students were given training before they went on the survey and we invited CWD officials to also guide the students,” said Indira Jayaraj, vice principal, Teachers’ academy. The students were told to be on the look-out for the number of storm-water drains in the area, how far they were situated from each other, if they were well connected, if there were open sewage channels and also if they were clogged and what type of garbage was blocking them.
The students found that there were many faulty drainage systems, open gutters, uncovered sewage, absence of bins and found that several storm water drains were clogged with plastics and solid waste. Heyma Henry, one of the teacher’s who accompanied the students on their survey said the students were also taken aback by the ignorance of many of the residents but did their bit by spreading awareness.
Henry said, “ Students were excited to do this survey and were also eager to help, the whole event was a real eye-opener for them.” The students were asked to get permission from their parents, as the school was worried that their parents might be apprehensive, however almost all the students participated and some parents too.
The students also found that there were several new roads that had been laid out without scraping old ones, leaving houses at a lower level than the roads. The biggest problem was plastics clogging the drains. They conducted a mass cleaning programme on October 21 and are compiling their surveys to be submitted to concerned officials.