CHENNAI: For residents of Bharathi Salai at Karambakkam in Porur, rains are a curse. For, when it rains, the residents of the area are not just forced to tread uncomfortably on the path that has rainwater mixed with sewage, but also compelled to stay indoors due to the fear of contacting water-borne diseases.
Half-an-hour of continuous rain is enough to cause damage, according to the residents. People who commuted regularly on the street rued that an hour of rain last week led to huge amount of waterlogging, making those commuting in two-wheelers take over 15 minutes to cross a 250-metre stretch.
“Not just that. The water reached the knee-level this time when it rained. Moreover, there is always sewage overflow in some parts on this street, making it difficult for pedestrians to walk. There is an unbearable stench,” said P Swami, who works at a godown located at one end of the street.
Though Swami was not aware why the road was dug up now and then, he said that the repair work never happened.
However, some of the residents to whom City Express spoke to, pointed fingers at the municipality, stating that their complaints fell on deaf ears. “There has been a sewage issue in this area for a long time. And the Metro Water officials come once in four months to clean the same. Around six months ago, they had laid a pipeline underground, for which the road was dug up. Though a temporary arrangement was done for smooth flow of sewage, there is no permanent solution in sight. As far as the potholes are concerned, we have been taking up the issue up with the municipality. But they say they don’t have enough funds,” said D Durai, a resident.
While Durai maintained that there was mosquito menace, courtesy overflowing sewage, another resident Riptanu Debnath lamented that the entire stretch was dusty and turned grubby when it rained. “The worst part is that one is forced to walk on the stretch knowing that it is a mix of sewage and rainwater that one is walking on,” he added.
Another resident P Rajan, who owns a shop on the street, said that there were officials coming in now and then to inspect the area. He added that the issue had been existing for long, with people coming to terms with it.
What’s ironical is the fact that the municipal office itself lies on the other side of the stretch. When City Express got in touch with the official concerned from the municipality, he said that the complaints were being taken note of. “We have called in for bids. The entire repair work will begin in the area in less than three months time,” he said.