CHENNAI : Broken manhole covers of storm water drains in the streets of Royapettah prove to be a pedestrian hazard, more so on rainy nights, according to residents. Several covers on Whites Road , Peter’s Road and Pattulos Road lay damaged or lose which along with the bad state of the pavements, is a source of worry.“Pedestrians tripping or getting their foot stuck in the broken covers has become a common sight these days, especially when they are rushing to get home during or before it starts pouring,” said Mohammed Nawaz, a resident of Royapettah.
Residents say many manhole covers are broken during rainy season as the Greater Chennai Corporation undertakes maintenance activities then. “When they remove the storm water drain covers to clear the drain during the rains, the covers break because they are already in poor condition,” said Sabapathy T, another resident. These broken covers are seldom replaced and continues to remain a problem in many areas across the city.
When contacted, corporation officials said that the damages to the drain covers were because of vehicles as drivers ride them on pavements and on the covers.“Whenever there is a traffic jam, two-wheelers get on the pavements and damage the drain covers. At nights, you can even see cars being driven!” he averred and quickly added that broken covers are being immediately replaced as and when complaints arise.
Meanwhile, the recent showers resulted in waterlogging the areas. Apart from Anna Salai near the Pattulos Road turn, interior lanes in Royapettah like ROB street and Nayar Ayya Pillai street, were also waterlogged, said residents.Residents of Sardarjung Garden have also been noticing fumes from under the ground near the entrance to the street from Peter’s Road — children slow down at the sight and pedestrians practice extra caution.
The reason — a damaged live wire, residents rue.“The authorities have come to fix it several times but the wire is not being replaced; it gets damaged again and again. The damaged wire has also began melting the tar in the street,” claimed M Touseef, a resident.