Every neighbourhood will have problems. And, at any point of time, a few of these problems would be considered peskier than the rest. For the residents of Kodambakkam, the most frustrating problems are insufficient lighting on the stretch that leads to the Rangarajapuram underpass, poor stormwater drains and unruly trees that don’t seem to have had the benefit of a pruner’s touch in ages.
Vasanthi Kannan, joint secretary, Kodambakkam Residents Civic and Welfare Association, says: “The underpass that connects Rangarajapuram with T. Nagar lacks sufficient lighting, encouraging miscreants to use it as a hideout at night. We have been trying to address this problem from the day the new bridge (connecting Kodambakkam and Bazullah Road) was constructed. It is great to have such bridges, which ease traffic congestion. But lack of sufficient lighting can detract from their usefulness.”
Senthil, who uses the stretch to reach his house on the other side of Kodambakkam bridge, says, “We find it difficult to drive at night as lights from the oncoming vehicles blur our vision. It will be good if proper arrangements are made to make the area well-illuminated. Sometimes, we can even see people sleeping on the platform inside the bridge.”
A few social activists from the area say the officials concerned have promised to resolve the problem with immediate effect. However, a Corporation official says the process is under way and that it is expected to be fixed by the end of September.
Mathialagan, a retired bank official, says the Corporation should make arrangements to have the trees trimmed as the profuse foliage blocks the street lamps, and the streets look dark after 6 p.m. Using the darkness as cover, criminals have indulged in chain snatching. Such incidents are reported frequently, adds Mathialagan.
Another problem is related to stromwater drains. Residents feel there is no point in constructing drains unless officials check them thoroughly from time to time.
“The lanes along the Gopal Menon Road have quite a number of stormwater drains but they are damaged. Due to broken drains, this road gets risky for pedestrians at night,” says Rani, one of the residents.
The chipped-off cement casing that leaves a big gap with protruding iron rods, turns out to be fatal especially for the visually-challenged and senior citizens. The risk quotient rises when it rains heavily, as the roads get inundated with water making pedestrians oblivious to the danger.
LIC M. Manickam, Zonal Chairman, Kodambakkam, has assured that he will look into the issue at the earliest.
