The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Lakes, roads, temples, greenery… but no dearth of civic woes

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Friday, Sep 26, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Lakes, roads, temples, greenery… but no dearth of civic woes

Deepa H Ramakrishnan

Thiruverkadu lacks underground sewerage, piped water supply…

Photo: M.Vedhan

SCENE OF STENCH: A view of the Koladi eri in Thiruverkadu Municipality, which is polluted. —

CHENNAI: With its lakes, winding interior roads, temples, quaint traditional homes and greenery, Thiruverkadu third grade municipality retains its rural flavour while still being connected to the city. The locality is mainly residential with a sprinkling of small shops and industries.

It has an estimated population of around 70,000 in 12,002 assessed households in 18 wards. It has been classified as an adjacent urbanised area and is presently witnessing the construction of several residential apartments.

Well-known temple

The town is well known thanks to the famous Sri Devi Karumariamman temple, around which life in one portion of the town revolves. “A toll is charged for entering the area near the temple, which is totally unnecessary. If we want to park near the temple, we have to pay another fee,” said a local, who did not want to be named.

Like other third municipalities, this one too lacks underground sewerage, proper facilities for managing solid waste and piped water supply to houses.

“We are addressing these issues presently. A survey of households has been completed for both drinking water and drainage schemes. The detailed project report is being prepared by Metrowater for drainage and water supply schemes.

Funds, but no land

As far as composting of solid waste is concerned, we have the funds for it but no land. We expect to get it in a month or two,” said Municipal Chairman G. Prabhu.

Though Thiruverkadu has three lakes — Koladi eri, Veeraraghavapuram eri and Ayanambakkam eri — ,the water is not being used for drinking. “Sullage from Ayapakkam Housing Board is let into the Koladi eri and that has spoilt the ground water,” said Ilango, who lives near the lake.

The water from neighbouring wells and borewells is polluted and some women said that rice turns yellow when cooked in the water.

A stench rises from the water as one drives past Koladi eri. The lakes and a 4-km stretch of the Cooum river, which passes through the municipality, have been encroached upon.

Road laying

Most interior roads in the municipality are either concretised or have bitumen surfaces. The local body is laying the 1,135-metre-long Noombal link road at an estimated cost of Rs.81 lakh presently. Work on the road connecting Kaattupakkam village is expected to be completed by October 15.

“There are streetlights in all areas. We have even installed CFL lights on the Madhiravedu causeway over the Cooum. This causeway had remained dark for several years. We are planning to install high-mast lamps in a few locations. We have also converted ordinary tube-lights on streets into sodium vapour lamps,” added Mr. Prabhu.

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