COIMBATORE:The absence of storm water drains at CMC Colony are causing trouble for the residents.
More than 400 residents of CMC Colony, near Variety Hall Road, of which, sanitary workers account for a major chunk, are forced to live with stagnated sewage water. This has made them prone to skin allergies. Even though these workers have been living in the colony for more than 25 years, they continue to struggle to get basic amenities.
M Siva, a resident of the colony, told Express that the drainage system in their area was put in place more than 20 years ago. Over the years, the infrastructure has not been improved. The flow of sewage water has been blocked. “Rainwater enters houses soon after it overflows from the Avinashi flyover underpass. The stagnated sewage water has become a breeding ground of mosquitoes, said Siva. “Viral fever and other diseases are very common. We are prone to dreadful diseases such as dengue as well,” he added.
A woman, on condition of anonymity said, the buildings in the colony had been damaged by trees growing in the walls. Some parts of the buildings have started coming off.
M Panneer Kumar, a resident said, a large number of people in the colony are hut-dwellers. These people still do not have electricity connections. “It affects students the most,” he added. He said, drinking water supply is not adequate and the number of pipeline connections too is less. The area does not have adequate public toilets and the ones which are there too do not function properly.
M A Kuthbudheen, Councillor, ward no.81 said, sewage water gets stagnated as the residents dump waste into it. He also said that as most of the residents are slum-dwellers, the civic body finds it difficult to provide electricity connection to them.