Early last year, many streets in Choolaimedu were dug up to address complaints of sewage mixing with Metrowater. As they studied the issue, officials found out that the PVC pipelines carrying sewage were prone to frequent damage.
Leakages in the sewage lines led to contamination of water supply. Hence, Metrowater replaced the plastic pipes with metallic ones.
Sherfudin Street, Sankara Puram Third Street, Khan Street, Wahab Street, Abdullah Street, Basha Street, Dr. Radhakrishna Nagar and Arunachala Nagar were dug up for the work, which was in a few months. The roads however were never re-laid.
“At the time, only the patchwork was done without using tar or rollers to set them. As a result, the surface started to chip, making the roads unmotorable,” says Ramachandran, a resident.
Now, trenches have started to form at Varadharaja Pettai Main Road, Abdulla Street and others. “The roads have become dangerous. If not careful, a motorcyclist can fall after hitting one of the deep potholes. We have made repeated representations to the Corporation, writing to the civic body and meeting the officials, but they are yet to start work on the roads,” adds another resident.
“Zackria Colony is affected by this problem too. But all the streets of the Colony were laid with concrete a few months ago. Others streets should also be laid,” says Kasturirangan, secretary, Choolaimedu Exnora Innovator’s Club.
Along with the road work, residents also want speed breakers to be laid.
“The traffic situation has worsened in the last few years. There are many schools in the vicinity and speed breakers would help control the speed of vehicles. It will also help pedestrians cross over safely,” he says.
